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On today's thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we've got some of the highlights of the 2025 ACT Expo, including the all-electric Windrose and Mack Pioneer Class 8s trucks, a hydrogen fuel sell [sic] from Honda, a fun charging surprise, and – after an eight year wait – we finally get a ride in the all-new (in 2017) Tesla Semi! ACT Expo is North America's premier clean truck and transport trade show – and for 2025 it was bigger than ever, with more exhibitors and more, more capable battery electric vehicles than ever. The downsides? NACFE have scored with their "messy middle" messaging, and the return of "clean diesel" talking points. We've got a brief rundown and links to all the details, below. Source Links Honda wants to sell you a fuel cell ABB has figured out this whole charging deal Windrose gets real, and Wen Han signs my truck New Mack electric trucks are coming, and one is already here Windrose electric semi truck isn't coming to America – it's already here We finally got a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo Range Energy announces two partners to electrify refrigerated trailers Blue Bird diversifies from schoolbuses, enters electric medium duty truck market Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We'll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don't miss a minute of Electrek's high-voltage daily news. Got news? Let us know!Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. If you're considering going solar, it's always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it's free to use, and you won't get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you'll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
Ep. 109: Ken North, NACFE's emerging technologies consultant, talks with Mike about the curve ball from his youth that changed his career plans and led him back to trucking, the value of relationships in the trucking industry, and why he joined NACFE. He also comments on what's special about the trucking industry, the role of efficiency in logistics and transportation for economic survival and what technologies intrigue him. And he talks about his connection to the pioneers.
What's the best path to decarbonization for your trucking fleet? The North American Council for Freight Efficiency is looking at the "messy middle" of alternative fuels and drivetrains for long haul in this year's Run on Less. North American Council for Freight Efficiency Executive Director Mike Roeth joins HDT Editor & Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge to talk about NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle and a new definition of "long haul." * Sponsored by: Shell Multi Service Fuel Card * Battery-electric trucks, fuel efficiency, biodiesel, renewable diesel, natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen for fuel cells or internal combustion engines.... what's right for YOUR trucking operation? Defining Long Haul & the “Messy Middle”Challenges with Range-Limited TechnologiesWhat is Run on Less: Messy Middle?NACFE's New Definition of Long HaulCharging Constraints in Real-World OperationsBattery Electric Trucks & High Mileage UseTotal Cost of Ownership for Electric TrucksExplaining the “Messy Middle” White PaperIndustry-Wide Challenges & OEM DecisionsRegulatory Changes & Market DynamicsGrowth in Renewable Fuels (RNG, RD, BD)Battery Tech Advancements & Fast ChargingDetails of the 2025 Run on Less Program
Ep. 107: Elaine Jones, chief financial officer at Stillwater Hospice and NACFE's accountant, talks about the importance of target costing in product design and why everyone needs to understand what something costs to build and why. She also shares her thoughts about NACFE, the contractor business model and she gives advice on getting through these times of uncertainty and even gives Mike some advice for the future.
This week's guest is Mike Roeth, Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency or NACFE. NACFE has been around for over 15 years - originating from a workshop run by the Rocky Mountain Institute in 2009. Their objective is to drive the development and adoption of efficiency enhancing, environmentally beneficial, and cost-effective technologies, services, and operational practices in the movement of goods across North America. Mike has been leading NACFE in these efforts pretty much since its inception. In the conversation, Mike discusses the concept of the “Messy MIddle” - a term that NACFE introduced to the industry. The Messy Middle is the period between the trucking industry transitioning from a well established and known technology (that would be diesel internal combustion engines) to a future technology (zero emission battery electric vehicles). Major technology transitions are never simple or clean, and NACFE recognizes this and analyzes how different powertrain technologies (to include Renewable diesel, Biodiesel, Natural Gas, Green Hydrogen, and battery electric) can be employed to bridge this middle ground. In the podcast, Mike discusses how different trucking operations (payload, duty cycle, required range) are better suited to different powertrain technologies, highlights the challenges and hurdles to the adoption of these powertrain technologies, and outlines the roles that the various stakeholders play.
Ryan Bankerd, global director of automotive sustainability at UPS and NACFE board member, talks about his status as a NACFE fanboy, decarbonizing the world's largest private delivery fleet and why he thinks it's time to change the messy middle to the middle. He also talks about UPS' rolling laboratory, the technologies UPS is scaling and he offers advice on how fleets should approach the next few years when looking at technology solutions.
Dean Bushey, NACFE's director of programs, talks about his career in the military and how it led to his involvement with autonomous vehicles. He also commented on the current and future state of AVs, and his work on the Electric Vehicle Working Group. He shared his thoughts on making it through the messy middle and gave advice on preparing for autonomous trucks.
Jim Park, award winning trucking journalist and a technologies consultant for NACFE, talks about his career as a truck driver, how he made the switch to trucking journalism and why he always tries to put himself into the mind of his audience. He also shares his thoughts on battery electric vehicles and the dramatic improvements that have been made in diesel engines.
In this episode we flip the script and have Mike Roeth, the show's host, answer questions posed by his granddaughter Makenzie Roeth. He talks about driving his first diesel truck at the age of 13 and about his first time behind the wheel of an electric truck. He also talks about his career before NACFE and his job as NACFE's executive director and why he is so proud of the Run on Less series.
Yunsu Park, NACFE's director of engineering, talks about his career at Navistar and Propel, the importance of doing new things and the data side of Run on Less. He also talks about taking risks, how ready trucking is for what's coming up ahead and the best way to get people to change.
Bruce Stockton, chief operating officer of Wilson Logistics and NACFE founder, talks about what drew him to trucking and his years at CFI and Conway. He also talks about the value of networking, the importance of data in driving decision making, and making sure technology decisions have a good ROI. Finally, he shares his thoughts on the 2027 emissions regulations and electric trucks.
Amory Lovins, co-founder and chairman emeritus of RMI, talks about why he thinks we have only scratched the surface of how much efficiency is available and worth buying. He also talks about the importance of integrative design and the role of both speed and drivers in improving efficiency. And he shares how he thinks NACFE has helped the trucking industry and how he views various alternatives to diesel.
Paul sits with Mike Roeth of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) to discuss the current state of trucking and how that industry is decarbonizing. Although trucks only account for 5-10% of the vehicles on the road, they contribute up to a quarter of the transportation sector's greenhouse gas emissions.But whereas challenges remain to fully decarbonize long haul, heavy duty trucking, Mike and Paul dig into the different use cases and opportunities that the industry has to electrify existing vehicles today.If you want to hear the entirety of Paul's interview with Mike, visit More Than Eight Minutes.For further reference:Mike RoethNorth American Council for Freight EfficiencyCalstart - Medium and Heavy Duty EV Deployment: Data CollectionFollow Paul on LinkedIn.
Coralie Cooper, deputy director of NESCAUM, talks about the role of the organization and how medium- and heavy-duty trucks fit into her work. She also talks about what influenced her work including her Noble Prize-winning father's influence. She also shares her impression of NACFE's day at the White House, and what's on NESCAUM's 2024 agenda.
Scott Perry, industry executive and former NACFE board chairman, talks about NACFE's adolescent years, the role of NACFE in the trucking industry and his long career in trucking. He also shares insights into the household goods industry and about Run on Less means to the industry.
Rachel Ellenberger, owner of Green Seed Collective, and NACFE's manager of industry engagement, talks about her early work with Clean Fuels Ohio and how she went from politics to trucking. She also shares what it is like to be a young woman in the industry, the benefits of having a diverse set of people working on industry issues and suggests we remind ourselves that even though it can feel like we are solving the hardest puzzle, we also have the smartest people working on.
The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
We're flying into this Thursday as we review the challenging effects the UAW strike is having on parts suppliers. We also review a new study about public trust in autonomy, as well as a new record set by a Tesla Semi Truck.Due to the ongoing UAW strike against Detroit 3, nearly 30% of suppliers have initiated layoffs, with this number expected to surpass 60% by mid-October, reveals a MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association) survey. The strike that started on September 15, has significantly impacted the auto supply chain, amplifying financial pressures from the pandemic and material shortages.More than 50% of idled suppliers anticipate needing at least a week to return to pre-strike production levels.MEMA has requested the White House to speed up commercial vehicle crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border due to added security checks slowing down transport from suppliers that are outside the USTo this point, the UAW and OEM's haven't been feeling much financial pain. During the 2019 strike, GM lost an estimated $1 billion over the first two weeks, whereas the losses in the first two weeks of the current strike amounted to about $200 million.Public trust in self-driving cars is waning, as shown by a study from J.D. Power and MIT, with distrust growing due to perceived deceptive marketing practices and frequent robotaxi crashes.The 2023 Mobility Confidence Index Study indicates a declining trust in AVs over the past years, currently at 37 out of 100.First-time robotaxi riders tend to have positive views on AVs, but negative media coverage of deployment issues counters this sentiment.Autonomous vehicle crashes, some fatal, are prompting greater attention from legislators and regulatory agencies.Misleading naming conventions, such as Tesla's "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving," cause confusion, with 22% of study participants erroneously believing Tesla cars can operate fully autonomously.Tesla' EV Semi truck clocked over 1,000 miles in a single day, 24-hour real-world test, challenging skeptics and outdoing competitors in the NACFE's Run on Less program.Tesla's achievement challenges Bill Gates' previous statements, doubting the viability of electric semi-trucks for long-haul distances, saying they would “probably never” work because of battery weightJust last month, Michael Lohscheller, Nikola Motor's new CEO, challenged skeptics by stating, "I defy anyone to find another zero-emission vehicle truck anywhere that can run up to 900 miles in a day." after one of Nikola's hydrogen fuel cell trucks traveled 900 miles in a single day.NACFE, which has been monitoring several electric trucks under real-world conditions, will soon release comprehensive insights from its 18-day study.Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email ASOTU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/automotivestateoftheunion
Ed Chipalowsky, NACFE's vehicle service and support manager, talks about his career as both a technician and an educator of technicians. He shares his thoughts on how the biggest changes in trucking impacted technicians and why older trucks are not better than new ones. He also talks about the most important skills today's technicians need to be successful, the urgency for training for high voltage vehicles and why technicians should be proud of their skills.
Cristina Commendatore, editor in chief at Fleet Owner, shares the unique place Fleet Owner occupies in the trucking industry media, the role of a trucking journalist and about her career path. She also comments on how she thinks NACFE is doing, the opportunities in the trucking industry, why it's a great place for young people to work and the progress the industry has made in the areas of diversity and inclusion.
In this edition of the Overdrive Radio podcast, drop in with three operators for a panel discussion held at the Mid-America Trucking Show last month. The discussion was aimed at showing all the ways these three have done what once might have been unthinkable -- get to, and pass, the 10-miles-per-gallon mark in a Class 8 tractor-trailer hauling freight. They included a man longtime Overdrive readers will well be familiar with -- 2007 Overdrive Trucker of the Year Henry Albert, running independent and as a longtime participant in Freightliner's Run Smart program real-world-testing new truck and diesel technologies built toward boosting efficiencies. Albert was joined by owner-operator Joel Morrow and driver Clark Reed, the latter also part of the longtime Freightliner initiative. The trio fielded questions from Mike Roeth, a leader with the North American Council for Freight Efficiency: http://nacfe.org (As Roeth notes in the podcast, Albert, Morrow and Reed were all part of NACFE's initial Run on Less campaign in 2017 -- find more about that and subsequent Run on Less efforts via https://runonless.com/ ) Questions centered on 10 different areas of fuel-economy improvement possibility, all to show how they add up to hitting that 10-mpg mark. Among what you'll hear about: Aerodynamics, of course, at which owner-operator Henry Albert has certainly excelled. Manufacturers' big strides in engine downspeeding, which yields maintenance dividends in the end for those persnickety emissions systems. Automated manual transmissions to help in the cruise RPM adjustments that come with significant downspeeding. 6x2 configurations, mechanical drag reduction generally, idling, speed, route planning, and much more. Think you can't get there? Think again -- with the right practices, and the right equipment, as these and other operators have shown, it's certainly possible. How owner-operator Steve Kron got there, for instance: in a 2001 International no less: https://www.overdriveonline.com/overdrive-extra/article/15295717/how-steve-kron-took-his-2001-international-above-10-mpg
Melvyn Roeth, father of NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth, talks about his commitment to farming, making equipment buying decisions, the importance of data to improve operations and the benefits of being involved in industry groups and associations. He also talks about becoming a conservationist and setting aside part of his farm for wildlife.
What is the future of autonomous trucking? Has any alternative fuel pulled ahead of another in the heavy-duty space? How can truckstops and travel centers partner with fleets to help relieve the regulatory pressure of decarbonization? Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE and Ginger Laidlaw, vice president of NATSO's Alternative Fuels Council, take a deep dive these alternative fuels questions and more in the latest episode of NATSO's The Truck Stops Here podcast. With special guests: Mike Roeth, Executive Director, NACFE and Ginger Laidlaw, Vice President, NATSO's Alternative Fuels Council Hosted by: Amy Toner, Executive Director, NATSO Foundation
Here's the definitive truth: As the technology stands today, electric vehicles are a fantastic fit for some applications and not so great for others. Last-mile delivery, those routes that bring a product from the warehouse shelf to the customer's doorstep, happens to fall into that first category. EVs fit in so well here because last-mile offers defined routes that can be planned to maximize the electric vehicle's range and recharging opportunities.We've already seen a few big names – including Walmart, FedEx and Amazon – jump into electrification with this application. So, now that electrification has had some time to mingle with last-mile, how are things going, and where do we see them headed? On today's episode, we find out.
Jose “Pepe” Gutierrez, who is leading NACFE's efforts in Mexico, talks about the similarities and differences between the US and Mexican truck markets, last mile delivery, electric vehicle deployments in Mexico and what is preventing more widespread adoption of EV. He also talks about the work NACFE LATAM is doing to help Mexican fleets operate in a more fuel-efficient manner.
Kevin Beaty, principal consultant, YUNEV LLC, talks about his involvement in the early days of NACFE, the messy middle, lessons learned over the last 20 years, and the difference in sourcing batteries for passenger cars and trucks He also comments on the path forward for trucking, how e-mobility is one of the exciting places to work and he offers some advice to everyone involved in EV development.
Jennifer Wheeler, senior program manager at NACFE, talks about her career at Walmart, how to adjust operations to accommodate new technologies, what excites her about her work with NACFE, her passion to be of service to the trucking industry, and NACFE's report on electric vans and step vans. She also encourages fleets to talk with each other about what they are doing in the area of electrification and how important it is for them to be part of the solution.
Rob Graff, senior advisor to RMI and NACFE, talks about how his passion for the environment started back in first grade. He also talks about how the lessons he learned working on electric buses can translate to commercial vehicles, the importance of working on all parts of electrification not just the vehicle itself, the importance of understanding what the customer wants and designing solutions today that can avoid problems in the future.
Welcome to Connected with Geotab, in collaboration with Freight Efficiency with NACFE‘s Mike Roeth & Friends. Scott Sutarik, Vice President, Commercial Vehicle Solutions at Geotab, talks about what insights data can help provide, how to use actionable data to solve problems and the importance of being innovative and pushing boundaries.
In 2019, medium- and heavy-duty trucks accounted for about a quarter of U.S. transportation emissions while representing less than 4% of vehicles on the road, according to the U.S. EPA.It is clear the trucking industry must decarbonize in order for the transportation sector, and the economy as a whole, to reach net-zero emissions, but which emerging technologies will move freight vehicles into climate-friendly territory is not yet clear, though electric is making great strides.Climate Now spoke with the North American Council for Freight Efficiency's (NACFE) Executive Director Mike Roeth and Director of Emerging Technologies Rick Mihelic, as well as former RMI Senior Associate for Carbon-Free Mobility's Jessie Lund (now at CALSTART), about why electric trucks are leading the carbon-free trucking game.Chapters:2:03 What is NACFE?4:20 Current state of the trucking industry9:35 Technologies for decarbonizing trucking15:25 Are hydrogen fuel cell vehicles scalable?17: 20 Understanding total cost of ownership (TCO) for trucks - traditional, electric, hydrogen24:13 Fueling the 3-way "horse race": infrastructural requirements for electric, gas, and hydrogen trucks27:43 NACFE tested 13 real electric trucks on real roads with real drivers: here's what they found.31:04 The state of the electric trucking market today
On the previous episode of this podcast, I spoke with Jason Morgan, editor of Fleet Equipment, about the EV advancements we can expect to see in the next few years, the solutions to the biggest issues facing electrification today and what an evolving supply chain means for the consumer world. We had a great time – we laughed, we cried, we sang (at least one of those definitely happened) – and after that episode's debut we decided we wanted to take things a step further. So... welcome to the first taping of the Amped EV Video Podcast!Jason is now this podcast's co-host, here to bring a fresh perspective on what electrification means for trucking and logistics, the yin to the consumer world's yang, if you will. And, there's more where this came from beginning in 2022. Double, actually, as we're bumping up our volume to produce two video podcasts a month.In this episode, we discuss some of the latest electrification research from NACFE, as well as some of the fun EV-focused vehicles and products found at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas (including Jeep, Electra Meccanica, Hypercraft and Redline Detection).
FreightWaves' Director of Carbon Intelligence, Tyler Cole, sits down with Mike Roeth, Executive Director for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) to discuss the findings from NACFE's latest initiative: Run On Less - Electric. This year's program featured 13 trucks demonstrating real-world truck technologies focusing on real routes, carrying real freight, in a variety of duty cycles and applications.Follow Net-Zero Carbon on Apple PodcastsFollow Net-Zero Carbon on SpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts
FreightWaves' Director of Carbon Intelligence, Tyler Cole, sits down with Mike Roeth, Executive Director for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) to discuss the findings from NACFE's latest initiative: Run On Less - Electric. This year's program featured 13 trucks demonstrating real-world truck technologies focusing on real routes, carrying real freight, in a variety of duty cycles and applications.Follow Net-Zero Carbon on Apple PodcastsFollow Net-Zero Carbon on SpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency concluded after its recent Run on Less — Electric event that fleets in four market segments could switch to battery-electric vehicles right now. During the 18-day event that involved 13 freight-hauling trucks, NACFE concluded that Class 3 through 5 vans and step vans, Class 6 box trucks and Class 8 terminal and regional-haul tractors all could feasibly run on electric. If the overall population turned to electric vehicles it would stop about 100 million tons of CO2 from reaching the atmosphere, according to NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth.
We all know that fleets and their decision makers are the influencers to making industry differences. Doug, Dave and Mike sit down with the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE)'s executive director, Mike Roeth, to talk about the most reliable information for optimum truck performance. With so much diversity within the commercial vehicle wheel industry, technology is essential in creating “the big transformation” or a world with little or no truck emissions and the best in fuel and freight efficiency. NACFE is making significant progress and we can't wait for you to hear what Mike has to say. To learn even more, follow Mike on Twitter at @mikeroeth. Don't want to miss an episode of Behind The Wheels? Subscribe today. Links from Todays Episode: For more information about Alcoa Wheels visit: https://www.alcoawheels.com/alcoawheels/north-america/en/home.asp (https://www.alcoawheels.com/alcoawheels/north-america/en/home.asp) Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikeroeth?lang=en (@mikeroeth ) Follow Alcoa® Wheels: Facebook: http://facebook.com/alcoawheels (facebook.com/alcoawheels) Twitter: https://twitter.com/alcoawheels (@alcoawheels) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcoawheels/ (@alcoawheels) YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/AlcoaWheelsNorthAmerica (https://www.youtube.com/AlcoaWheelsNorthAmerica) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/alcoawheels (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/alcoawheels) Join our mailing list: http://go.alcoawheels.com/subscribe (http://go.alcoawheels.com/subscribe) Contact us: http://go.alcoawheels.com/podcast (http://go.alcoawheels.com/podcast)
Gary Gaussoin, president and chairman of Silver Eagle Manufacturing, talks about his role in founding NACFE, his family's involvement as an early innovator in the trucking industry, the importance of knowing what you can and cannot do, the opportunities for improved freight efficiency with doubles and triples, and the importance of doing things that make economic sense. He also talks about Silver Eagle's last mile delivery vehicle.
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency expects vehicle downtime likely to be a factor and something to chart in its Run on Less — Electric event in September. The three-week demonstration, scheduled to start Sept. 3 in Long Beach, Calif., will assess zero-emission, real-world goods movement. At the same time, NACFE believes this showcase will underscore the need to think of an electric vehicle's range on a charge in the same way as miles per gallon in an internal combustion engine.