The Truck Test 2026 event is set to take place from November 10 to 12, 2026, on the N3 highway in South Africa. The event aims to measure the fuel efficiency and productivity of 20 extra-heavy trucks from 13 different manufacturers. This year's test comes at a time when diesel prices in South Africa have reached record nominal levels, with inland wholesale prices reaching approximately R29.11/litre for 500ppm and R30.05/litre for 50ppm.
The Truck Test 2026 event is being organized by FOCUS on Transport & Logistics, with technical oversight provided by Jayesh "Tiny" Daya, director of TDRSA. The event has partnered with several major companies, including Engen, TruckScience, Ctrack, Afrit, Bandag, WearCheck, ZF Aftermarket, and the Changan Hunter. The test will see the 20 trucks, which include models from Daewoo, DAF, FAW, Foton, Hino, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Powerstar, Scania, Shacman, Sinotruk, and Volvo Trucks, being put through their paces on the Johannesburg-Durban-Johannesburg route.
The trucks will be tested under controlled conditions, with fuel consumption measured using refuelling procedures, and trip times, average speeds, and operating data recorded. A productivity index will also be used to weigh fuel burned against average speed, reflecting the need for trucks to move freight efficiently. According to Charleen Clarke, editorial director of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics, the event provides valuable insights for truck operators, who cannot control diesel prices but can make informed decisions about the vehicles they use.
The last Truck Test event took place in July 2022, during which time inland diesel prices were around R25.40/litre for 500ppm and R25.53/litre for 50ppm. Since then, diesel prices have increased significantly, with 50ppm diesel now costing around R4.50/litre more. The results of the Truck Test 2026 event will provide valuable data for South African operators, who can use the information to inform their fleet decisions.
Florian Engel, chairperson of the International Truck of the Year Jury, has described the Truck Test 2026 event as "one of the most significant comparative truck tests anywhere in the world". The event is expected to be the largest truck test ever staged on the African continent. The results of the test will be revealed at the Truck Test 2026 Results Breakfast on November 19, 2026, and will be published in the December edition of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics and across its digital platforms.
The Truck Test 2026 event has been endorsed by several industry bodies, including the Road Freight Association, SAAFF, CILTSA, FESARTA, and SAPICS. The event aims to provide a platform for truck manufacturers to showcase their products and for operators to make informed decisions about their fleets. With diesel prices continuing to rise, the results of the test are expected to be closely watched by the industry.
The trucks that will be participating in the test include 6×4 truck tractors, which will run at a gross combination mass of approximately 55.5 to 56 tonnes, coupled to identical Afrit tautliners. The event is expected to provide valuable insights into the performance of the trucks under real-world conditions, and the results will be closely watched by truck operators and manufacturers alike.
Key points
- The Truck Test 2026 event aims to measure the fuel efficiency and productivity of 20 extra-heavy trucks from 13 different manufacturers on the N3 highway in South Africa.
- The event comes at a time when diesel prices in South Africa have reached record nominal levels, with inland wholesale prices reaching approximately R29.11/litre for 500ppm and R30.05/litre for 50ppm.
- The results of the test will provide valuable data for South African operators, who can use the information to inform their fleet decisions.
