First all-electric DAF CF takes to the roads

DAF Trucks has delivered its first fully electric truck to an operator in Holland. The DAF CF Electric is being used by supermarket chain Jumbo in the south of the Netherlands and marks the start of long-term field tests of full electric and hybrid trucks.

Developed thanks to a joint venture between DAF Trucks and VDL, the DAF CF Electric is capable of deliveries within a radius of about 50 kilometres thanks to its 100km range. A charging station to charge the truck has been installed at the Jumbo distribution centre in Veghel.

Plated at 37-tonnes, the CF Electric is powered by a 210kW electric motor with a 170kW battery capacity that allows quick charging and can be fully charged in just 1.5hours.

"The transport sector is about to undergo a major transformation," Harry Wolters, DAF Trucks President, said.  "Electric trucks look set to become the norm for deliveries in urban areas. Not today and not next year, but definitely within the foreseeable future. I am particularly proud that today marks the beginning of a large-scale field testing project that will see DAF working in collaboration with VDL and Jumbo. This project," he added, "will allow us to gather useful data and experience in relation to both the technology and the operational aspects. We can then use our findings to ensure that the final series-production model provides the ideal solution to future market requirements."

Commenting on their new trial vehicle, Frits van Eerd, Jumbo CEO, said: "Introducing this new electric truck is the next step towards our goal of implementing a sustainable strategy for our vehicle fleet. Our business puts us right at the heart of the community, and our ultimate goal is to be using electric vehicles to supply 45% of our shops. By 2020, we hope to have reduced CO2 emissions from Jumbo's vehicle fleet by 50% compared with 2008."