- 20 extra-heavy trucks from 13 manufacturers.
- Johannesburg to Durban and back on N3.
- Test runs from 10 to 12 November.
- Gross combination masses of about 56 tonnes.
- Results announced on 19 November.
Fleet owners weighing their next purchase will get a rare like-for-like comparison when 13 manufacturers put twenty extra-heavy trucks through the same Johannesburg to Durban return run between 10 and 12 November. Engen, as official fuel and lubrication partner, is supplying all the diesel for Truck Test 2026, which is organised by FOCUS on Transport & Logistics and set to be the largest comparative truck test staged on the African continent.
The aim is to establish how efficiently different trucks move heavy loads along one of South Africa’s main freight corridors, a question that reaches beyond the trucking industry because diesel is one of the largest costs in road freight.
Why one litre of diesel matters
A long-distance truck covering 150 000km a year would save 1 500 litres of diesel annually if its consumption improved by just one litre per 100km. At an illustrative diesel price of R30 a litre, that comes to R45 000 a year for one vehicle, or R4.5 million across a fleet of 100.
Sharveen Maharaj, Commercial General Manager at Engen, said those costs do not stop with the transport operator. “They work their way through the supply chain,” he said, calling fuel efficiency “an economic issue that ultimately affects every South African.”
How the Truck Test 2026 works
The participating 6×4 truck tractors will haul identical Afrit tautliner trailer combinations at gross combination masses of approximately 56 tonnes, carrying comparable loads under prescribed test procedures. The N3 brings steep climbs and long descents familiar to long-haul operators.
Fuel consumption, journey times, average speeds and productivity will all be measured to show how effectively each truck turns diesel into freight movement. Independent specialist TruckScience will handle data collection and analysis, with technical oversight from Truck Test Technical Director Jayesh “Tiny” Daya.
Engen fuel and the fleet buyer
Supplying every litre used keeps differences in fuel specification out of the comparison. Maharaj said the test “moves the conversation beyond manufacturers’ claims and theoretical fuel consumption figures”, producing data fleet owners can use when buying trucks.
Choosing the right truck affects a fleet’s operating costs for years, and using less diesel to move the same freight also lowers environmental impact.
Start point and results date
The trucks will start and finish at Engen Blockhouse 1 Stop North, south of Johannesburg. Official results will be announced on 19 November at Bryanston Country Club in Johannesburg and then published by FOCUS on Transport & Logistics.
Supplied by MotorPress (Charleen Clarke, Focus on transport, MotorPress)
This story is based on aggregated news, press release(s) or other sources and was prepared with the help of AI tools, which can make mistakes. Prices, specifications, general information and availability may change, so confirm the details with the manufacturer, other news sources or a dealer.
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