Yesterday was the official kick - off for the “Run on Less” MPG Roadshow . I was glad for the opportunity to be selected as one of the seven drivers to participate. Run on Less is a three-week event that will include seven U.S. truck fleets traveling across the country on their normal routes in order to demonstrate advancements in fuel efficiency and technology. Each participant will be driving a truck and trailer that is commonly available in today’s marketplace. The event closes during the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta from September 25-28. Upon their final run in Atlanta, the MPG results will be announced. Driver participants will have their equipment on display and discuss fuel economy findings and results with show attendees.
Results will be tracked to include fuel economy, freight efficiency, dollars saved and carbon footprint. This event was organized by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and Carbon War Room’s Trucking Efficiency Operation. Sponsors include Shell, PepsiCo, and Geotab. There are approximately two dozen additional sponsors of the event.
The seven fleets who are participating in the event are Albert Transport, Frito Lay (PepsiCo), Hirschbach, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Nussbaum Transportation, Ploger Transportation and US Xpress. These fleets are out to demonstrate just how Class 8 trucks with different technologies can achieve their highest fuel efficiency. Drivers were chosen based on their record on performance in regards to high fuel efficiency. The event is not to demonstrate a competition among the drivers themselves however it is all about the average fuel usage in relation to the group as a team.
I will be driving my 2018 Freightliner Cascadia Aero X powered by the Detroit DD15, 400 HP/1750 FPT, Detroit DT12 direct drive AMT transmission, Detroit rear axles with 2.16 final drive ratio with active lube management followed by my Nose Cone, Fleet Engineers Side Skirts, Stemco Trailer Tail, FlowBelow wheel covers, 2008 4000 DX Utility 53 ft. Dry Van. Both the truck and trailer are equipped with the latest Michelin fuel saving wide base single tires.It will be interesting to see how the overall average from all the trucks combined compares to the national fleet average.