Head-to-Head: Four Powertrain Technologies in NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle
Key Ideas
- NACFE's Run on Less initiative will compare diesel, natural gas, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains in a real-world data collection program.
- The focus is on long-haul trucking operations to address emissions and confusion surrounding the adoption of different powertrain technologies.
- The program aims to clarify the performance and viability of these powertrains in the market, contributing to the understanding of the 'messy middle' of trucking technology.
- Fuel efficiency in the North American freight industry has shown improvement as the adoption of fuel-saving technologies has increased over the years.
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) is launching a new program called Run on Less - Messy Middle to compare four different powertrain solutions in long-haul trucking operations. These solutions include diesel, natural gas, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cells. The initiative aims to collect real-world data to address emissions and confusion surrounding the adoption of various powertrain technologies in the trucking industry. NACFE expects to announce the fleet participants in spring 2025 and track trucks from three fleets in each powertrain category in September.
The previous Run on Less program focused on electric depot electrification and showed promising results for the electrification of trucks in regional haul operations. The upcoming program will shed light on the performance and viability of different powertrains, contributing to a better understanding of the complexities in the trucking technology market. NACFE data indicates an increase in fuel efficiency in the North American freight industry, with a rise in the adoption rate of fuel-saving technologies from 17% in 2003 to 42% in 2023.