With diesel prices high and operating expenses under pressure, ACT Expo’s 2027 agenda emphasizes fuel efficiency, AI, safety and the return on fleet technology investments.
Staff Writer・Editorial
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November 8, 2026
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With diesel prices above $6 a gallon and fleets under pressure to control operating expenses, ACT Expo is putting a bigger emphasis on costs, efficiency and profitability in its 2027 conference program.
The event, scheduled for May 17-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, has opened registration and released an agenda that goes well beyond its traditional focus on alternative fuels and vehicle electrification.
Diesel technology, artificial intelligence, autonomous trucks, fleet safety, predictive maintenance, and total cost of ownership will all be part of the conversation.
Shifting Fleet Priorities
The shift reflects the growing range of technologies fleets must evaluate as they look for ways to cut costs, improve uptime and make their operations more efficient.
“With fuel and operating costs continuing to climb, and the technological complexity of today’s commercial vehicles ever-increasing, fleet leaders can’t afford to stand still,” said Erik Neandross, founder of ACT Expo.
“Every investment decision matters, and understanding which technologies can deliver real savings and operational improvements has never been more critical,” he said. “This isn’t just a sustainability conversation anymore; it’s a business imperative.”
The timing is significant. The national average on-highway diesel price reached $6.53 per gallon in September, adding urgency to fleet efforts to improve fuel efficiency and evaluate alternative powertrains.
What’s on the ACT Expo 2027 Agenda?
Developed with input from ACT Expo’s Fleet Planning Committee and other industry stakeholders, the program will address a broad range of operational and technology issues.
- Fuel efficiency and operating costs: Advances in diesel engines, aerodynamics, vehicle efficiency, telematics and right-sizing equipment for specific applications.
- AI and connected fleets: Using vehicle data, predictive maintenance and artificial intelligenceto improve uptime, asset utilization, safety and fleet management.
- Autonomous trucking: Lessons from early commercial deployments, including impacts on safety, productivity and fleet operations.
- Emissions regulations: How changing requirements and next-generation engines could affect maintenance, purchasing decisions and vehicle replacement cycles.
- Fleet safety: Advanced driver assistance systems, AI-enabled safety technology and better use of fleet data to reduce risk.
- Technology investments: Evaluating total cost of ownership, return on investment and which technologies make the most sense for different operations.
- Fuels and powertrains: Comparing diesel, natural gas, battery-electric, hybrid and hydrogen technologies, along with conventional and renewable fuel options.
- Charging and energy infrastructure: Addressing utility coordination, charging capacity, energy management and challenges in scaling electric fleets.
The conference also will include fleet case studies, technical workshops, executive discussions and sessions focused on specific industry sectors.
More Than 400 Exhibitors Expected
The ACT Expo exhibit hall will be open May 18-19, with organizers expecting more than 400 exhibitors and sponsors and over 200 commercial vehicles on display.
Those vehicles will include light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, commercial vans, buses and off-road equipment.
Exhibits will cover vehicle technology, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, fleet management systems, safety, alternative fuels and charging infrastructure.
ACT Expo’s Ride & Drive also will return, giving attendees a chance to experience advanced commercial vehicles firsthand and talk with manufacturers about performance, maintenance, driver comfort and operating costs.
The event will again offer opportunities for continuing education credits through approved sessions and workshops. Eligible sessions for 2027 have not yet been announced.
ACT Expo Registration Opens
Early bird registration is available through Dec. 11, 2026.
Organizers also announced two offers for fleet and shipper attendees. A new team package lets qualifying companies buy two passes and receive additional team passes at no charge. Qualified first-time fleet and shipper attendees may also be eligible for complimentary registration.
The event’s presenting sponsors are Daimler Truck North America, Penske Transportation Solutions, and Geotab.
More information, including the 2027 conference agenda and registration details, is available on the ACT Expo website.
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