HDT’s Top Green Fleets for 2025 Embrace Trucking’s ‘Messy Middle’ – Fuel Smarts

When HDT named Brad Bayne an HDT Truck Fleet Innovator two years ago, he was planning to have 64 battery-electric Class 8 trucks in operation in 4 Gen Logistics’ California drayage operations by that September.

This will be no surprise to anyone who’s been following the progress of heavy-duty zero-emission trucks, but between delays in getting the charging infrastructure installed and delays in getting trucks delivered, it didn’t happen quite that quickly. 

Bayne is VP of strategic initiatives for 4 Gen Logistics, a drayage fleet based in Rialto, California, and he’s just one example of trucking operations where being “green” is part of who they are. And that’s generally the case with the other HDT 2025 Top Green Fleets as well.

“Even with the recent changes on the political front, we are bullish on our prospects in California,” Bayne said.

“We believe the state and the ports will regroup and continue to push forward with their ZE efforts,” he told HDT. “Our customers are extremely excited about our efforts, but many are just not willing to pay any sort of premium with rates down like they are right now.”

On the other hand, he said, the company has added a couple of customers because of its ability to deliver their loads from the ports to their distribution centers with a ZEV. 

At another California drayage fleet, King Fio Trucking, “For us, it’s not about the political environment or current policies. It’s about doing the right thing,” said owner Jennie Abarca.

“In 2023, I started to think very seriously about my business and what our legacy would be,” she explains. “I wanted to be one of the first to adopt a zero-emissions footprint.”

California Doesn’t Have a Monopoly on Sustainable Trucking Fleets

Lest you think a commitment to sustainability is just for those wacky West Coast people, note that HDT’s 2025 Top Green Fleets come from all over the country.

For companies like St. Louis, Missouri-based Artur Express, sustainability —  not just emissions — is a core part of the company’s values.

Artur Express said in its nomination that it’s constantly seeking more efficient processes that benefit its drivers, the company, and the environment. 

“We’re committed to fuel efficiency, not just to reduce our carbon footprint, but also to save company dollars. These savings are then reinvested directly back into our drivers’ pockets, recognizing their crucial role in our success.”

Serving the Community is Part of Sustainability

At Ruan Transportation Management Systems in Des Moines, Iowa, the company’s information on its sustainability efforts notes that it “has always believed that we are more than a transportation and logistics company; we are a part of the communities we serve. We are focused on developing ways to make our trucks cleaner and more efficient.”

Ruan believes environmental stewardship and community service are more than good business decisions; they are moral imperatives.  

M&M Cartage is a family-owned business has been dedicated to long-term sustainability for over a decade. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the family-run company started investing in trucks fueled by natural gas back in 2012.

It was the company’s 40^th anniversary, and President Don Hayden was asking himself what the next 40 years were going to look like. His answer was for the company to be good stewards, of the land, the environment, its community and its employees.

Today, M&M Cartage is adding battery-electric vehicles to its CNG fleet.

Sustainability for All Sizes

HDT’s 2025 Top Green Fleets range in size from a few dozen, like King Fio Trucking, to some of the largest fleets in the country, such as Knight-Swift Transportation and Schneider.

On the top end of the size scale, Phoenix, Arizona-based Knight-Swift said it is continuing a journey in reducing carbon emissions and impact on the environment that is hardly new. 

“This effort has been an important part of our culture for many decades,” it said in its nomination, pointing out that it was a charter member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program and is a recipient of over 15 years of SmartWay participation and excellence awards.

“We stand firm in our commitment to reduce the impacts of our operations.”

Sustainability of the Business

Of course, being the greenest fleet in the world isn’t going to help the environment if you’re unable to stay in business. Some also pointed out that “sustainability” also means sustaining the business itself. But HDT’s Top Green Fleets believe they go hand in hand.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Pitt Ohio said its sustainability focus is the longevity of the business by providing customers with excellent customer service. 

“The long-term goal is to remain in business as we decarbonize fleet operations.”

Artur Express pointed out that “economic sustainability” goes right along with environmental sustainability and social sustainability. It includes factors such as reducing operating costs by improving fuel efficiency and optimizing routes and logistics to reduce mileage and fuel consumption. 

Communicating sustainability efforts can enhance brand reputation and help attract and retain customers that value sustainability, it contends. And investing in long-term growth can help ensure the company’s long-term viability and resilience.

Leading Trucking’s ‘Messy Middle’

Because trucking is not a one-size-fits-all business, you can see that they embrace a wide range of sustainability technologies and strategies.

It’s a good example of what the North American Council for Freight Efficiency calls the “Messy Middle.” 

NACFE first began using the term Messy Middle in 2018 to describe the time between now and when trucking gets to a zero-emission future. It encompasses everything from greater fuel efficiency for diesel engines to alternative fuels to electric, hydrogen fuel cell and more.

“We don’t think messy is necessarily bad,” said NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth recently in announcing a new white paper on the Messy Middle.

“In fact, messy can be good because it implies a variety of options available for fleets to choose from.”

Who Are HDT’s 2025 Top Green Fleets?

Below you’ll find HDT’s 2025 Top Green Fleets, presented in alphabetical order. 

4 Gen Logistics LLC 

Rialto, California

4 Gen has grown its ZEV fleet to 79 zero-emissions Class 8 trucks in its California drayage fleet — 64 battery-electric and 15 fuel cell electric vehicles, making it one of the largest zero-emission fleets operating at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. 

Its phase-one charging infrastructure projects are completed, with 14 350kW dispensers in Rialto and 30 dispensers in Long Beach. By the end of 2026, a phase 2 project will double its charging capacity.

The company is still committed to be completely zero emission in California by the end of 2025. Its focus is to refine its current processes and continue to get a better understanding of its total cost of ownership.  

A Duie Pyle

West Chester, Pennsylvania

With 32 LTL service centers, 17 warehouse facilities and over 55 Dedicated locations, A. Duie Pyle offers LTL, dedicated, brokerage, and warehousing and distribution services.

The company continually invests in fuel-saving technologies, alternative fuels, and emissions-reducing practices to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. 

The fleet features speed limiters, eco-roll technology, self-inflating tires and aerodynamic enhancements to cut fuel consumption. Idle reduction policies and advanced telematics further optimize efficiency and reduce emissions. 

Beyond the fleet, Pyle operates a 570,000-square-foot solar-powered warehouse and has launched waste reduction programs. The company expanded its use of renewable diesel in 2024, reducing emissions without major infrastructure changes. 

In July 2024, the company went a step further and created a manager of environmental sustainability position to drive data-driven emission reductions, fleet efficiency improvements and waste reduction. 

Artur Express

Hazelwood, Missouri

Artur Express is committed to minimizing its environmental impact and leading the way in sustainable trucking practices, believing a healthy planet and a successful business go hand in hand.

The company emphasized in its nomination that sustainability in the trucking industry is about more than just reducing emissions.

“It’s a holistic approach that considers the environmental, social, and economic impacts of operations.”

Artur runs more than 800 trucks and 250 driver teams. The company added a third battery-electric truck to its fleet recently and plans to significantly expand its EV fleet this year.

A fuel optimization program leverages data and analytics to help drivers calculate the precise amount of fuel needed for each load to optimize fuel purchases.

A Driver Habits program combines performance monitoring with targeted instruction on fuel-efficient driving techniques, using data from each truck’s engine control module for personalized feedback and scores.

DB Schenker US Land Transport

West Memphis, Arkansas

DB Schenker’s US Land Transport operates regional and long haul, with 2,000 heavy-duty tractors and 6,300 trailers. It’s currently operating two battery-electric trucks and fuels some of its fleet with renewable diesel. 

The company works closely with OEs on most fuel-efficient engine parameter settings and fuel-efficient transmission and rear-end ratio specs. It has incorporated solar panels on tractors to prevent extended idle times. MirrorEye camera systems, Smartway-approved tires, OEM aerodynamic packages, and automatic tire inflation systems all improve fuel economy.

In its shops, smart chargers are used for battery recharging stations. Capacitor jump start equipment has replaced fuel-burning boost-off systems.

In 2025, DB Schenker said, it’s working on buying the latest most fuel-efficient tractors available on the market, increasing its renewable diesel usage, and continuing efforts towards incorporating EV options into its box truck and regional fleets.

Carbon neutral by 2040 is the current company target.

DC Department of Public Works

Washington, DC

The DC Department of Public Works has made significant strides in advancing its green fleet initiatives over the past year. 

It uses biodiesel fuels in its heavy-duty fleet in varying blends — B5, B20, and B100 — throughout the year.

It has added several electric street sweepers and attenuator trucks to the fleet.

Outside of heavy-duty, the DC fleet has more than 200 electric vehicles and forklifts, reducing emissions across a diverse range of equipment. 

For the remainder of 2025, the fleet is working with an electric vehicle consultant to make a comprehensive assessment of the fleet and facilities to identify opportunities for incorporating electric infrastructure.

The long-term sustainability goal is to align its fleet operations with the District of Columbia Government Climate Action Plan, aiming to achieve a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2045. 

Detmar Logistics

San Antonio, Texas

Detmar Logistics offers regional oil field services, transporting frac sand in the Permian Basin. The company is working with multiple fortune 500 companies to help decarbonize their logistics footprint. 

Sustainable transportation is not a “one size fits all” approach. The company has been on a journey away from diesel fuel and notes there are many different ways to achieve sustainable transportation. 

Detmar has been investing in natural gas and hybrid powered trucks and intends to deploy an additional 30 CNG tractors this year. And it plans to start deploying CNG light/medium duty vehicles toward the end of 2025.

This year it is deploying its own patent-pending mobile CNG fueling station to help minimize its deadhead for station fill ups and reduce operating expenses. 

FTC Transportation

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The fleet for Feed the Children has fewer than 50 trucks, operating regional and long haul, but it’s committed to sustainability and has a fleet average fuel economy of 7.5 mpg.  

It operates a fleet of trucks with 500,000 miles or less and plans to replace 10 of its oldest tractors by the end of the year.

Newer trucks with lower emissions engines, automatic transmissions, and auxiliary power units contribute to fuel economy, as do trailer side skirts, under trailer air deflectors, low rolling resistance tires, and tire inflation systems on its trailers. 

FTC coaches drivers on fuel conservation and rewards those who achieve excellent fuel mileage each quarter through a performance bonus. Speed is governed at 68 mph. Motive technology is used to track fuel mileage, coach drivers, and route trucks more efficiently.

The maintenance department recycles oil, scrap metal, florescent light bulbs, and tires, and sends boxes and cardboard to a local recycling location. Extending the miles run between maintenance services further lessens its economic impact.

King Fio Trucking

Long Beach, California

This drayage fleet has 32 trucks, and eight are currently zero-emissions vehicles operating at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. It hopes to double the number of ZEVs in the next two years and plans to buy six to seven more in 2025. And King Fio is working on a charging infrastructure project that should be completed in August of this year.

Nominations from Volvo Trucks and from dealer TEC Equipment praised the company’s commitment.

“King Fio truly epitomizes what it means to care for the environment, air quality, and public health through the investments made into the zero-emission space. … 

“Her commitment to a cleaner environment is not due to regulations but because she wants to play a part in providing a cleaner environment for her children.”

“When a small company like me wants to change, it’s not easy,” said owner Jennie Abarca. “I was very fortunate to get hooked up with key partners in this industry that believe in us and have assisted us in the purchase of eight EVs.

“This industry is in position for a huge technological boom, and I am excited to be at the forefront of it.”

Knight-Swift Transportation

Phoenix, Arizona

Knight-Swift Transportation has been working on reducing carbon emissions and its environmental impact for decades. It was a charter member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program and a recipient of over 15 years of SmartWay participation and excellence awards. 

The country’s largest truckload carrier, with a growing less-than-truckload business, Knight-Swift recently met and exceeded its 2025 goal of a 5% CO2 per mile reduction ahead of schedule. Since its baseline year of 2019, Knight-Swift has reduced its CO2 per mile output by 7%. 

Its use of renewable diesel has increased significantly in recent years thanks to increasing availability. The plan is to continue to grow its use of RD.

The company has been active in reviewing or testing battery-electric vehicles with approximately 10 different manufacturers.  It has deployed 15 electric day cab tractors and over 10 electric yard tractors, as well as a key charging site with a solar and battery-storage microgrid.

What’s next? Working on meeting its long-term goal of a 50% reduction by 2035. That’s going to require new emissions-reducing technologies, so Knight-Swift runs pilot programs across multiple technology platforms. 

M&M Cartage

Louisville, Kentucky

Half of M&M Cartage’s fleet runs on renewable natural gas, while diesel trucks run on biodiesel, and eight battery-electric trucks are used daily. It improved its diesel fuel economy in 2024 to 6.65 from 2023’s 6.62 mpg. 

M&M worked with Paccar and Cummins to get early access to the new Cummins X15N Natural Gas Engine, powering a Peterbilt 579.  And it continued its partnership with Kentuckiana Clean Fuel, whose CNG stations have powered the more than 4.22 million miles traveled by M&M’s CNG fleet.

Looking forward, the company will be testing and evaluating ways to replace machinery in its aging CNG fleet, as well as continuing to improve diesel fuel economy.

NFI

Camden, New Jersey

NFI is a large fleet offering regional, long haul, warehousing, brokerage and more. It has long been on the leading edge of sustainability, from fuel economy to alternative fuels to zero-emission trucks. 

Through January 2024, NFI has deployed 70 battery-electric daycabs, set to increase to 90 by mid-2025, along with 17 battery-electric yard tractors in Southern California and Texas. There are more than150 lithium-powered forklifts running in NFI warehouses. The company operates CNG vehicles powered by renewable natural gas and is piloting a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

NFI has solar installations in New Jersey and California, with plans to expand in California and add battery storage in 2025.

In 2025, NFI plans to launch its first battery-electric fleet on the East Coast with private funding, pilot its first hydrogen fuel cell tractor, and complete the JETSI project. This includes adding 1MW of solar and 7.7MWh of battery storage to its Ontario, California, charging site and activating all 38 of its 350kWh chargers.

Nussbaum Transportation

Hudson, Illinois

Nussbaum prioritizes industry-leading fuel economy in its sustainability efforts. In 2024, its fleet averaged 9 mpg with just 11% idle time. Tire consumption dropped 25% year over year, cutting costs by $600,000 through improved tire management, automatic tire inflation, and wide-based tires.

Its home-grown comprehensive Driver Scorecard program encourages fuel-efficient habits such as smooth throttle control and gentle braking.

A 160kW solar array powers its maintenance facility, while Merlin Solar Panels recharge truck and APU batteries. 

By year’s end, all trucks will feature a 6×4 axle configuration with a 2.16 rear-end ratio for improved downspeeding. Nussbaum is also adding the Detroit Air Suspension, which drops the suspension an inch at 55 mph for better aerodynamics; as well as 72-inch midroof trucks with electric APUs.

It’s testing a bevy of new products, such as 40-inch cab extenders that deploy automatically, MirrorEye Camera systems, and lithium-ion APU batteries.

Looking ahead, Nussbaum aims to extend oil change intervals beyond 75,000 miles and test the fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia. Its long-term goal: fleetwide 10 mpg with idle below 10%.

Old Dominion Freight Line

Thomasville, North Carolina

In 2024, Old Dominion Freight Line, a major LTL carrier, added additional zero-emission equipment to its fleet. It’s currently using seven electric forklifts, three electric straight trucks, and eight electric switchers.

The company remains engaged with multiple manufacturers of equipment and related engines and believes progress can be made to further reduce the emissions from its vehicles.

This year, the company is focused on greater involvement in alternative fuels as well as optimizing operations.

OD plans to invest $225 million in new tractors and trailers. Maintaining a modern, well-equipped fleet allows OD to optimize fuel efficiency and minimize maintenance downtime. 

When available and economically feasible, OD incorporates either renewable diesel or biodiesel in its fuel network. In California and Oregon, for example, 100% of its fuel comes from renewable diesel.

Pitt Ohio

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pitt Ohio, a regional carrier serving the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions with LTL and truckload services, focuses on what it calls the 3 Ps of sustainability: People, Planet and Purpose.   

In addition to day-to day best fuel-efficiency practices such as tire inflation and maintenance programs and tracking and training, Pitt Ohio says it strives to be an industry leader in sustainable innovation. 

There are six LEED-certified facilities across four terminal locations, three of which produce renewable energy from wind and solar. Two of these facilities are home to a groundbreaking microgrid design. 

There are seven active medium and heavy-duty battery-electric vehicles, mostly in Cleveland, Ohio. Late last year, the fleet reached a milestone of 100,000 all-time electric miles driven.

Pitt Ohio recently added a battery-electric terminal tractor to its Indianapolis terminal, and 40% of its forklifts are electric. 

The company is increasing the electrical capacity of its Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, facilities to support six new medium and heavy duty BEVs as well as additional employee EV car charging. 

The company is actively sourcing renewable diesel and just procured RNG (renewable natural gas) to support its CNG vehicles. 

Looking ahead, Pitt Ohio is evaluating new solar technology for wider rollout and launching sustainability training for frontline employees.

Ruan Transportation Management Systems

Des Moines, Iowa

Founded in 1932 with one truck, Ruan is now an asset-based 3PL with over 300 locations and a fleet traveling 350 million miles annually. Sustainability is a priority, with investments in cleaner fuels like CNG, RNG, biodiesel (B20), and renewable diesel.

Since starting its CNG program in 2011, Ruan has operated more than 160 CNG trucks that have logged well over 100 million miles on natural gas power, including 80 million miles on renewable natural gas. It recently retrofitted 10 CNG tractors with new ultra-low NOx engines for operation in California, running on renewable natural gas.

Ruan has made great strides in improving its overall fuel mileage, as well, with an 11% increase over the last three years.

The company currently operates more than 700 battery-electric forklifts, and it’s working to grow its fleet of battery-electric yard tractors from 20% to 30% of the yard tractor fleet.

Ruan will continue to test on-road Class 8 vehicle technologies, including alternative fuels, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell, as well as alternative charging technologies such as wireless inductive charging.

Schneider

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Schneider has made major sustainability strides, particularly in its battery electric vehicle fleet. In 2024, it became the first major carrier to reach 6 million zero-emission miles with the Freightliner eCascadia, cutting 20 million pounds of CO2 — equal to removing 2,100 gas-powered cars from the road for a year.

Schneider also deployed electric yard spotters in California and Texas and expanded Intermodal services between Mexico and the Southeast, helping customers reduce their carbon footprint.

Beyond BEVs, Schneider is integrating alternative fuels, operating all non-EV tractors on biodiesel blends and purchasing 9+ million gallons of renewable diesel in 2024 on the West Coast. It’s also exploring renewable natural gas and hydrogen combustion engines.

Schneider’s fleet has the scale that allows it to test and implement advanced technologies.

In 2025, the company is continuing progress on its long-term sustainability goals and in helping customers achieve their own sustainability goals. 

Schneider has cut CO2 emissions per mile by 7%, reaching 90% of its 2025 goal of 7.5% reduction. It also aims to double its intermodal volume by 2030 and achieve net-zero company-owned facilities by 2035.

System Freight Inc.

Jamesburg, New Jersey

This short-haul dedicated fleet focuses its “green” efforts on fuel efficiency.

Last year it continued to replace older trucks in its fleet with newer, fuel-efficient models, including the latest Mack Trucks with highly efficient turbo compounding engines.

After achieving 9.18 mpg in a two-month test of an International LT with the new S13 integrated powertrain, in January the company took delivery of 33 units.

The company plans to add more of these units to the fleet. It expects this platform will enable System Freight to get to a fleet average of 8 mpg in the next 12 months – which would be an impressive achievement in the congested Northeast metro environment where the company operates.

“When we see things that make sense to increase the efficiency of our fleet, we look to implement it as quickly as possible to offset other cost increases in our business as well as our customers’ business,” says Partner/Executive Vice President Jim LaMarca.

It’s also looking to expand the use of its high cube lightweight custom trailer spec and lightweight fuel-efficient tractor combination. This high-payload-capacity combo can eliminate one out of seven loads customers will have to ship. 

Talon Logistics Inc.

Chino, California

A small drayage fleet with big zero-emission goals, Talon Logistics is continuing to grow its fleet of electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks. 

As part the Port of Oakland’s grant, Talon will be deploying at least 10 ZEVs in Oakland, while also expanding its ZEV fleet at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by as many as 30 trucks. 

And it’s expanding ZEV operations to Houston, where Talon will be among the first trucking companies in Texas to leverage EV and hydrogen trucks. 

It also plans to expand its circular program, which allows shippers to leverage ZEVs at cost-parity to diesel trucks. The program was built in partnership with a major exporter that purchases paper and cardboard to be recycled. Companies using this program are compensated for allowing them to recycle the cardboard used in their shipping.

A typical shipping container is somewhere between 10 and 30% packaging materials. Talon creates a revenue stream for companies by having its partner purchase their excess cardboard, offsetting any costs for ZEVs (and often saving money for shippers). 

TCI Transportation

Commerce, California

TCI hired a sustainability and compliance manager in 2024.

The company has integrated CNG, RNG, and electric vehicles into its fleet to support customers in their transition to cleaner transportation, including approximately 50 EV yard tractors. It brought in 20 Class 4 EV vehicles for its internal fleet and customers. 

TCI’s trucks feature fuel-saving technologies, telematics, and route optimization to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

It collaborates with industry leaders to adopt new green technologies and is enhancing its facilities to support fleet electrification. Last year it worked with Southern California Edison to install four fast dual plug chargers in its corporate facility along with two fast dual plug chargers and 17 level 2 chargers in its Fontana, California, facility. 

For the rest of 2025, Team TCI is focused on expanding its electric fleet and charging infrastructure, including plans to deploy 20 Tesla Semi electric tractors. 

It plans to add another 400kWh of solar power, increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

WattEV

Long Beach, California

WattEV is both an EV charging company, with five operational public depots, as well as one of the largest electric-only fleets of Class 8 trucks hauling freight. 

There are 65 trucks in the fleet representing all the major OEMs. The fleet focuses on both middle mile and drayage with high utilization driving over 300 miles per truck per day.

It plans to grow its fleet to about 100 trucks this year, over 300 trucks in 2026, and 1,200 trucks by 2030.