Truck Test 2026 will measure the fuel efficiency and productivity of 20 extra-heavy trucks from 13 manufacturers from 10 to 12 November 2026, at a time when inland diesel prices reached record nominal levels in September 2026. For South African operators, the results offer real-world data on what it costs to move freight, and those costs feed directly into the price of goods.
The inland wholesale price of diesel has climbed to approximately R29.11/litre for 500ppm and R30.05/litre for 50ppm. When the last Truck Test took place during the fuel-price crisis of July 2022, inland diesel was around R25.40/litre for 500ppm and R25.53/litre for 50ppm, which puts 50ppm diesel about R4.50/litre higher now. Organisers say it will be the biggest truck test ever staged on the African continent.
Why Truck Test fuel data matters
Almost every product consumed in South Africa spends part of its journey on a truck, so higher distribution costs ultimately reach consumers. “Truck operators cannot control the diesel price, but they can make informed decisions about the vehicles they put into their fleets,” says Charleen Clarke, editorial director of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics, which organises the test.
Florian Engel, chairperson of the International Truck of the Year Jury, described the event as “one of the most significant comparative truck tests anywhere in the world”.
Truck Test 2026 route and manufacturers
Daewoo, DAF, FAW, Foton, Hino, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Powerstar, Scania, Shacman, Sinotruk and Volvo Trucks will field the 20 vehicles on the Johannesburg-Durban-Johannesburg route on the N3, starting and finishing at Engen Blockhouse 1 Stop North. The 6×4 truck tractors will run at a gross combination mass of approximately 55.5 to 56 tonnes, coupled to identical Afrit tautliners.
Fuel consumption will be measured under controlled refuelling procedures, and trip times, average speeds and operating data will be recorded. A productivity index will weigh fuel burned against average speed, reflecting that a truck must also move freight efficiently.
Technical oversight and industry partners
Technical director Jayesh “Tiny” Daya, director of TDRSA, will oversee the test. Engen is the fuel and lubrication partner, TruckScience handles data collection and results analysis, Ctrack provides telematics monitoring, and Afrit, Bandag, WearCheck, ZF Aftermarket and the Changan Hunter are also partners. The event is endorsed by bodies including the Road Freight Association, SAAFF, CILTSA, FESARTA and SAPICS.
When the Truck Test results are released
The official results will be revealed at the Truck Test 2026 Results Breakfast at Bryanston Country Club on 19 November, before being published in the December edition of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics and across its digital platforms.
Supplied by MotorPress (Julia Tew, Media Contact, MotorPress)
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