https://nacfe.org/research/run-on-less/messy-middle/

How NACFE Helped Bring Clarity to the Messy Middle

Run on Less – Messy Middle (RoL-Messy Middle) was a three-week demonstration focused on 13 fleets operating trucks with four powertrain solutions — diesel/renewable diesel, natural gas/renewable natural gas, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell. The goal of Run on Less – Messy Middle was to bring clarity to the long-hail segment of the market. The purpose of this demonstration was to learn about the performance of heavy-duty Class 8 trucks — sleepers and day cabs — in long-haul return-to-base and over-the-road duty cycles.

How It Worked

Once the decision was made to focus the 2025 Run on the Messy Middle in the long-haul segment of trucking, the task turned to finding the right mix of fleets participate in the Run. NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth, designed four teams of what he termed dynamic duos to vet fleets for the Run.

These dynamic duos compiled an initial list of more than 30 fleets that were good candidates for the Run. They then began to review those fleets to see which made the most sense to include in the Run based on various criteria including the fact that they had to have the truck in operation in their fleet by May 2025, that they were willing to have their trucks outfitted with Geotab devices and that they were willing to allow NACFE staff along with a video crew to come on site to interview key personnel and capture video and still images.

After careful evaluation and after consulting the fleets, the list was winnowed down to 13 fleets — four fleets operating diesel-powered trucks, three operating natural gas trucks, four operating battery electric trucks and two operating hydrogen fuel cell trucks.

Participating fleets were:

1. 4Gen Logistics operated a 2024 Volvo VNR battery electric vehicle out of Rialto, CA.
2. Albert Transport operated a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia diesel vehicle out of Laredo, TX.
3. Frito-Lay operated a Volvo VNL on B99 biodiesel out of Topeka, KS
4. Joyride Logistics operated a Windrose battery electric truck out of Phoenix, AZ.
5. Kleysen Group operated a 2025 Kenworth T880 on natural gas out of Edmonton, AB.
6. Mesilla Valley Transportation operated an International diesel truck out of El Paso, TX.
7. Nevoya operated a Freightliner battery electric eCascadia out of Colton, CA.
8. Penske operated a Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell truck out of Lancaster, TX.
9. Pilot operated a Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell truck out of Rialto, CA.
10. Saia operated two battery electric Tesla Semis out of Stockton, CA.
11. Schneider operated an International LT on renewable diesel out of Phoenix, AZ.
12. UPS operated a Kenworth T680 on natural gas out of Salt Lake City, UT.
13. Wegmans operated a Peterbilt 567 on natural gas out of Rochester, NY

Bootcamp Sets the Stage

The Messy Middle Bootcamp was an educational series that took place prior to the Run and was designed for fleet managers, industry members, policymakers, regulators, and more. The Bootcamp was split into three distinct units — diesel and natural gas, BEVs and hydrogen. Each unit had three sessions and at the end of each unit, attendees were invited to a two-hour workshop. NACFE also hosted a final interactive workshop covering the content from each fuel type unit – diesel and natural gas, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.

What Was Measured

NACFE has created a straightforward way for real-world data to be gathered and shared live on a unique dashboard created for each Run. Data points that were captured for all fuel types included the following items:

• GPS Position Data
• Distance
• Speed
• Ignition Status
• Gross Vehicle Weight
• Elevation

Additional data for BEVs included battery state of charge, energy out while driving, energy out while idling, energy in while driving, energy in while charging and charging status. Additional data for hydrogen fuel cell trucks was fuel level percent. Additional data for natural gas trucks was fuel level percent and fuel consumed (DGE). Additional data for diesel trucks was fuel level percent and fuel consumed.

Findings

Here are the initial findings from Run on Less – Messy Middle. The NACFE team is doing a deeper dive into the data, and these findings may be revised as we learn more.

• Powertrain technologies in the trucking industry are constantly evolving yet must compete directly on cost and performance in an environment of shifting regulations and incentives.
• Fleet owners, their customers, and the public continue to value sustainability efforts while still looking for good returns on their investments.
• Fleets have more powertrain choices from OEMs, which is creating challenges given the increasing segmentation of the truck market.
• Recent significant powertrain advancements include a 15L natural gas engine, 400+ mile battery electric vehicles, high power fast charging stations, increased availability of renewable natural gas and bio and renewable diesel, and new high-volume OEM entrants.
• All the powertrain technologies are improving and revealing new benefits. However, challenges persist, especially with fueling/charging infrastructure, weight, and cost.
  • Natural gas trucks are proving to provide the needs of diesel with more power, torque, range and fill times.
  • Battery electric truck range, weight and costs are becoming more competitive with diesel trucks in similar duty cycles.While production of renewable fuels is increasing, it remains well below what is needed for widescale adoption by fleets.
  • While production of renewable fuels is increasing, it remains well below what is needed for widescale adoption by fleets.
  • Hydrogen in freight is still nascent technology but is showing promise in certain use cases.

An Industry Effort

Run on Less demonstrations would not happen without the involvement, collaboration and cooperation of many people and organizations. NACFE is grateful to the participating fleets, drivers, OEMs, sponsors, members of the media, governmental officials, non-governmental organizations, and RMI for their efforts in making this Run a success. A special thanks to all the people who went on camera to share their thoughts on the Class 8 long-haul portion of the Messy Middle and for helping us bring clarity to this important market segment. NACFE and the entire trucking industry is grateful for you.

More details on Run on Less – Messy Middle can be found here.