NACFE Closes the Book on Run on Less – Messy Middle

From Executive Director Mike Roeth

Run on Less – Messy Middle was a massive undertaking and after two years we are finally closing the books on it. We recently published our final two reports — From Source to Highway: The Messy Middle Emissions Report and Data Confirms Initial Conclusions: The Messy Middle Final Findings Report.

While the Run itself only lasts for three weeks, the events leading up to and following the Run consume much more time. This Run was especially complex because we studied a variety of powertrain solutions. We began by finding the right combination of fleets that were willing to participate in the Run, which entailed sharing data as well as allowing NACFE staff to visit their depots and conduct interviews with a variety of staff members. It also included finding the right speakers for our Messy Middle Bootcamp. And then there was the analysis of all the data that was collected during the Run, including hosting a data workshop in which industry participants shared their own detailed analysis of the Run data.

In addition to the two recently released reports, we also published three other reports — How NACFE Helped Bring Clarity to the Messy Middle; Terrain, Technology and Telematics: The Messy Middle Operations Report; and Forecasting the TCO of Powertrain Alternatives: The Messy Middle Cost Report.

These reports validated some initial thoughts we had about the options available to fleets operating heavy-duty Class 8 trucks — sleepers and day cabs — in long-haul, return-to-base and over-the-road duty cycles. All the work we did put into context the many factors influencing the trucking industry’s transition from older, less efficient, costly and higher emission powertrains to the latest production technologies offered in diesel, natural gas, hydrogen and electric trucks.

I am proud of the work the NACFE team did on this Run and thank the fleets, manufacturers, utilities, NGOs, infrastructure providers and sponsors for making the Run a reality. 

I don’t think we imagined when we conducted the first Run in 2017 that it would evolve into such a valuable source of real-world data for fleets and others to use to improve the efficiency of the trucking industry.

Earlier this month I presented our concept for the next Run on Less, which will take place in September of 2027, to NACFE’s board of directors. While I can’t yet reveal what the next Run will entail, I can tell you that it will be carried out with the same diligence as the prior five Runs. Look for an announcement from me sometime this fall about what segment of the trucking industry we are going to be taking a deep dive into. And, as always, I hope you will be around for the ride, or rather the Run!

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