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In 2018, DAF was the first European truck manufacturer to launch an all-electric truck with the CF Electric. Then it remained relatively quiet for a long time, as series production was out of the question. Now, seven years later, the time has finally come. DAF's new factory for battery-electric trucks is ready for series production. And we were allowed to take a tour of the new generation of electric vehicles.
DAF is deliberately starting its zero emission offensive with the smaller models: the latest-generation XB, XD and XF. The XD and XF Electric are being built at the factory site in Eindhoven, for which a completely new assembly line has been built. The DAF Electric Truck Assembly covers an area of 5,000 m2 and has two sub-assembly lines: one for preparing the battery packs and one for assembling the ‘Electric Drive Module’. On the nearly 150-meter-long main line, these main components are assembled together with the e-motor with integrated gearbox on the chassis. The smaller XB Electric is being built at Leyland in the United Kingdom.
The common denominator of the new generation of DAF electric trucks is that they are available in different power variants and battery assemblies. The XB Electric comes in a 12-, 16- or 19-ton version with power ratings of 120 kW/156 hp or 190 kW/250 hp and a choice of three battery packs of 141, 210 or 282 kWh, good for a range of up to 350 kilometers. For the XD and XF Electric, there is a choice of two to five battery packs which equates to a capacity of 210 to 525 kWh and, depending on the version, an electric range of 200 to over 500 kilometers. In all cases, they are liquid-cooled lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries of the latest generation that can be charged to 100% at any time without sacrificing service life. Fast charging is possible with a capacity of up to 325 kW. Charging a battery with three packs from 0 to 80% takes just over three quarters of an hour, and the largest battery pack can be fully charged in 2 hours. An onboard charger is optional for alternating current (AC) charging up to 22 kW.
An additional advantage is that the battery cells can be placed close together, saving space. And speaking of that space, thanks to the flexible and modular placement of the battery packs on the chassis, the electric trucks offer the same body-friendliness as all other models in the New Generation DAF series. A 650 V e-PTO (25 kW and 90 kW) is available as an option, as is a Bolt & Play package for side loaders.
For the drive of the XB Electric, there is a choice of a PACCAR EX-M1 or EX-M2 engine with direct drive and outputs of 120 or 190 kW. The XD and XF Electric are powered by permanent-magnet drive units: the PACCAR EX-D1 and the PACCAR EX-D2 with power ratings from 170 kW/230 hp to 350 kW/480 hp. Both drive units are very compactly constructed and consist of two separate electric motors and a central, integrated three-speed transmission. Exactly that ‘special’ gearbox, and especially its fine-tuning, is, according to insiders, the reason why the introduction of the electric trucks has been somewhat ‘delayed. But they can be forgiven, because the concept works phenomenally. Shifting is imperceptible. There are no perceptible shift transitions and there is no dead moment at all. Truly a pleasure for the driver who also always has access to sufficient power. You often have no notion of being on the road with so much weight. At the same time, of course, this is also a pitfall.
After driving about 36 kilometers in the XD 350 FT Electric 4×2, we only had to brake once. It is due to the so-called ‘one pedal drive’ in which the power pedal can be used to both accelerate and decelerate. The lower stroke of the pedal stroke is reserved for acceleration, while the upper part can be used for regenerative braking. Using the ‘engine brake’ switch on the steering wheel, ‘one pedal drive’ can be engaged and selected for the desired amount of braking power (33, 66, or 100% of total braking power). On highways and inner roads, the electric truck can also adopt a ‘neutral position’ for long rolling without resistance, while via ‘one pedal drive’ in the inner city, energy is instead recovered. It generally requires less effort from the driver and makes driving less tiring. Anyway, the quietness on board is impressive, and in the electric truck you are more aware of defensive driving yourself.
The electric XD and XF trucks are characterized by the same distinctive DNA as the existing New Generation DAF trucks. For example, the cab design contributes significantly to safety. Thanks to a large windshield, low window lines and options such as the Kerb View Window, the DAF Digital Vision System and the DAF Corner View, the vehicles offer a high degree of direct and indirect visibility. DAF City Side & Turn Assist, in turn, increases safety in urban environments. The driver is actively warned of vulnerable road users who are near the truck. The XD and XF Electric models are available as 4×2 tractors and rigids and 6×2 rigids with steered front or trailing axle, and identified by subtle blue accents on the interior and exterior, including in the grille and headlights. In the course of 2026, the range of axle configurations with electric drive will be further expanded.
In addition to an extensive program of all-electric trucks, DAF Trucks also provides a range of services that support entrepreneurs in the energy transition. These range from offering specific driver training to customized financing, and from supplying charging stations and energy management systems to interesting services from the PACCAR Connect online fleet management platform. Because, according to DAF, the energy transition involves more than just buying a DAF XB, XD or XF Electric. Duly noted.
