NACFE’s 2025 Run on Less to focus on decarbonizing Class 8 longhaul trucks
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) announced the launch of its fifth Run on Less event, Run on Less — Messy Middle, which will take place in September 2025. The event will combine NACFE’s ongoing Run on Less series with its research on the ‘messy middle,’ focusing on the future of heavy-duty tractors.
The three-week demonstration will showcase the benefits and challenges of various decarbonization strategies for fleets operating heavy-duty Class 8 trucks in medium- to long-haul return-to-base and over-the-road duty cycles.
While representing just 9% of the market, the sector is responsible for 48% of emissions, making it a critical focus for decarbonization efforts, NACFE said in an announcement.
“There is significant work being done in this segment of the market and this Run will give us the opportunity to showcase the realities of that market,” said Mike Roeth, NACFE’s executive director, in a news release. “I am excited that we are going to highlight a variety of ways for fleets to lower emissions in the very challenging long-haul segment of the trucking market.”
Run on Less — Messy Middle will feature around 10 fleets deploying Class 8 day cab and sleeper trucks equipped with various alternative fuel powertrains — including fast-charging battery-electric trucks, hydrogen fuel-cell-electric trucks, and trucks operating on renewable fuels — and the most advanced energy efficiency technologies available.
The event aims to explain the various alternative fueling options across various infrastructure strategies, explore the impact of the duty cycle on powertrain selection, and examine needed infrastructure changes to accommodate alternative-fueled vehicles.
The event will also feature NACFE’s Bootcamp series, with detailed metrics and dashboards available on the Run on Less website. As with previous runs, the event will include visits to fleet locations, offering insights from fleet managers, drivers, and other industry professionals involved in decarbonizing trucking.
NACFE will publish a report detailing the findings of the Run in the middle of 2026.
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