Record diesel prices are putting fuel efficiency and productivity under renewed scrutiny as South Africa prepares for Truck Test 2026, billed as the biggest comparative truck test ever staged on the African continent.
The three-day event, taking place from November 10 to 12, 2026, will see 20 extra heavy trucks from 13 manufacturers tested under the same real-world conditions on the Johannesburg-Durban-Johannesburg route.
The test comes at a time when diesel prices have reached record levels across the region. South Africa’s inland wholesale diesel price has climbed to approximately R29.11 per litre for 500ppm and R30.05 for 50ppm, while diesel in Eswatini has recently increased to E32.25 per litre.
By comparison, when the previous Truck Test was held during the fuel price crisis in July 2022, inland South African diesel was around R25.40 per litre for 500ppm and R25.53 for 50ppm.
THE TEST
The participating manufacturers include Daewoo, DAF, FAW, Foton, Hino, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes Benz, Powerstar, Scania, Shacman, Sinotruk and Volvo Trucks.
The 6×4 truck tractors will operate at a gross combination mass of approximately 55.5 to 56 tonnes and will be coupled to identical Afrit tautliners. Fuel consumption, trip times, average speeds and other operating data will be recorded to allow meaningful comparisons.
The test will also measure productivity, rather than looking only at fuel consumption. “Fuel efficiency has always mattered, but at current diesel prices every litre saved has become even more significant,” says Charleen Clarke, Editorial Director of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics, organiser of Truck Test 2026. Florian Engel, Chairperson of the International Truck of the Year Jury, described the scale of the event as significant by international standards.
IMPRESSIVE
He said bringing together 20 extra heavy trucks from 13 manufacturers for a real world test under the same conditions was an impressive undertaking and a showcase for South Africa’s commercial vehicle industry. The results will be announced at the Truck Test 2026 Results Breakfast at Bryanston Country Club on November 19 before being published in the December edition of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics and its digital platforms.
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