DAF takes part in 2024 EV Rally

A 19-tonne DAF LF Electric is taking part in a five-day, 1,400-mile EV rally. The event, which takes place between 3 and 5 July, sees more than 50 EVs from different manufacturers including cars, vans and trucks take part. 

Adam Bennett, EV and sustainability manager at DAF Trucks, said: “The EV Rally certainly grabbed the attention of the truck industry last year and this year’s event is bigger and better, and perhaps even a little more challenging given the extended route. Our LF Electric is a proven performer, however, and we’re confident that the 19-tonner will take the five days in its stride.”

The same truck took part in DAF’s EV Relay which was a tour of DAF’s UK dealer network. This included showing the vehicle to sales and service staff as well as offering customer demonstrations. Based on the team’s extensive experience driving this vehicle around the country, they’re confident in its reliability and range capabilities on a single charge. 

The EV rally departed from the AA & Drivetech Innovation Centre in Oldbury and finished in Carlisle on the first day. The rest of the week takes the EVs on a tour of the UK’s growing charging infrastructure and ends in Chester on Friday.

On day one, DAF stopped at its assembly plant at Leyland Trucks in Lancashire. This is the design and manufacturing hub for the DAF LF and XB range. On day four, the team will stop by the DAF headquarters in Haddenham and visit other dealers along the way. The team is being accompanied by a TRP electric van support vehicle which is one of more than 125 parts vans working across the UK to distribute all-makes truck, trailer, and LCV parts, lubricants and consumables from PACCAR via the TRP network. 

DAF’s vehicle has recently completed a battery electric truck trial (BETT) which spanned 18 months exploring the efficiency of electric trucks in operation. The trial saw 20 DAF LF Electrics join NHS and local authority fleets.