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The next generation of low- and zero-emission freight vehicles, charging infrastructure, and alternative fuel technologies will take center stage at the Alternative Fuel Summit 2026, hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) during MegaTrans 2026 on Thursday, September 17, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
The Summit will showcase equipment and technology from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers, demonstrating the practical solutions available today to help fleets cut emissions and transition to alternative fuels. Exhibitors include Freightliner, Peterbilt, Tesla Semi, ChargePoint, Volvo Trucks, Cummins, Nikola, and Schneider Electric, among others. Attendees will see a range of electric and hybrid trucks, prime movers, mobile charging units, hydrogen refueling stations, and forklifts that are critical to the future of U.S. freight and logistics.
“The transition to lower-emission freight transport is already underway, and this event gives operators the opportunity to see the technology available today, rather than simply talk about what’s coming tomorrow,” said Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations. “Whether you’re exploring your first alternative fuel vehicle or planning broader fleet investment, the Summit provides direct access to the equipment, expertise, and industry knowledge needed to support informed decision-making.”
While the technology showcase will be a major draw, the Summit also offers a robust speaker program featuring fleet operators, researchers, government representatives, infrastructure providers, and policy experts. Discussions will cover fleet transition pathways, emissions reporting, funding opportunities (including grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), infrastructure planning, and lessons learned from fleets already advancing their decarbonization journeys.
Key highlights include:
Exclusive insight: The Summit comes as the U.S. freight sector faces a pivotal moment. The EPA’s final rule on greenhouse gas emissions for heavy-duty trucks (2027 model year) is expected to accelerate adoption of zero-emission vehicles. According to the Department of Energy, the number of public DC fast chargers for medium- and heavy-duty trucks grew by 240% in the past two years, yet only 3% of the nation’s 4 million freight trucks are currently electric. The Summit aims to bridge that gap by providing fleet operators with the data and peer networks needed to make confident purchasing decisions.
“We’re not just talking about potential – we’re showing the hardware that’s ready to deploy today,” said Mike Roeth, Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). “Fleets that start piloting now will be ahead of the regulatory curve and better positioned to capture operational savings.”
Registration is now open at www.trucking.org/altfuelsummit26. Early-bird pricing ends August 15, 2026. The Summit is held in conjunction with MegaTrans 2026, which attracts over 15,000 attendees from across the supply chain.
Why attend?
The Alternative Fuel Summit 2026 is produced by the ATA’s Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. For full agenda and speaker list, visit the official event page.
– July 15, 2025
