NACFE Unveils ‘Messy Middle’ Initiative Fleets
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The North American Council for Freight Efficiency on April 8 revealed most of the 13 fleets that will take part in its Run on Less — Messy Middle program in September.
NACFE said the participation of Albert Transport, Frito-Lay, 4Gen, JoyRide Logistics, Kleysen Group, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Nevoya, Penske Logistics, Pilot Travel Centers, Saia, UPS and Wegmans was confirmed. Another fleet will be announced at a later date.
The goal of the latest initiative — NACFE’s fifth Run on Less program — is to explore various alternative fueling options and investigate the need for infrastructure changes to accommodate alternative-fuel vehicles, NACFE said.
This latest three-week run will begin Sept. 8, and metrics from the data will be captured by Geotab telematics devices.
“The messy middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency-enhancing technologies,” said Mike Roeth, NACFE executive director. “In this, our fifth run, we are featuring tractors powered by diesel, natural gas, batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. These four powertrain solutions represent currently available options for fleets today.”
(NACFE)
Laredo, Texas-based Albert Transport will operate a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia sleeper tractor with a Detroit DD 15 engine running on diesel.
Frito-Lay’s Topeka, Kan., depot will operate a Volvo VNL sleeper tractor with an Optimus Technologies system using B99 biodiesel. Frito-Lay is a unit of PepsiCo, which ranks No. 2 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America.
Mesilla Valley Transportation is set to run an International LT sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15 2027 NOx engine running on diesel out of Las Cruces, N.M. Mesilla ranks No. 73 on TT’s Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America.
Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Kleysen Group’s Edmonton, Alberta, operation will operate a Kenworth T680 sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15N using natural gas.
UPS’ Salt Lake City service center will run a Kenworth T680 day cab tractor with a Cummins X15N engine using natural gas. UPS ranks No. 1 on the for-hire TT100.
A Wegmans distribution center in Rochester, N.Y., will operate a Peterbilt 360 day cab tractor with a Cummins X15N engine using natural gas. Wegmans ranks No. 13 among private grocery carriers, TT data shows.
Drayage specialist 4Gen Logistics’ Rialto, Calif., operations will test a Volvo VNR day cab electric tractor.
Arizona-based JoyRide Logistics will run a battery-electric Windrose day cab tractor.
Truckload carrier Nevoya plans to operate a battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia day cab tractor out of Colton, Calif.
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Saia’s Stockton, Calif., service center is set to utilize a battery-electric Tesla Semi day cab tractor. Saia ranks No. 18 on the TT for-hire Top 100 and No. 6 among less-than-truckload carriers.
Pilot Travel Centers and Penske Logistics will operate Hyundai Xcient hydrogen fuel cell electric day cab tractors through their Bloomington, Calif., and Katy, Texas, locations, respectively. Pilot ranks No. 28 on the private TT100 while Penske ranks No. 13 on the for-hire TT100.
NACFE first began using the term messy middle in 2018. It describes the time it will take for trucking to transition from primarily diesel-only power to a zero-emission future.
“Pitt Ohio as well as other fleets I’ve spoken with are thrilled to have such a wide range of fleets and solutions in this Run,” said Taki Darakos, vice president of vehicle maintenance and fleet services at Pitt Ohio.
“We believe this truly represents the state of longhaul trucking today and by capturing data from these 13 vehicles that we will help the industry see the role these various powertrains play in both return-to-base and over-the-road longhaul trucking,” he added.
The latest initiative builds on 2023’s Run on Less: Electric Depot, which looked at battery-electric tractor utilization for return-to-depot fleets.
