Brakes goes electric in Reading with its first DAF LF Electric

Foodservice supplier Brakes has begun operating its first zero-emissions DAF LF Electric from their depot in Reading. The truck will go into service in the coming weeks and be used for multi-temperature deliveries where it is expected to save approximately 52-tonnes of CO2 per year.

The DAF LF Electric was unveiled at a special ceremony with a ‘Climate Stripes’ livery (#ShowYourStripes) created by Ed Hawkins, professor of climate science at the University of Reading, depicting average global temperature change from 1850 to 2021.

The 19-tonne DAF LF Electric is powered by 250kW electric motor with 254 kWh of effective batteries providing a range of up to 280km. The temperature controlled body has been built as part of a DAF-Solomon-Frigoblock partnership, returning an 8-tonne payload, matching the figure achieved by Brakes’ current 18-tonne GVW diesel-powered DAF LF 260 fleet.

Solomon Commercials supplied and installed dual-compartment bodywork while Frigoblock used its ‘FK2’ refrigeration unit for frozen at the front, and chilled at the rear of the body. The FK2 unit draws energy directly from the battery pack and will alone contribute an annual 17-tonne CO2 saving.

“We’re excited by the potential of the new DAF LF Electric,” said Paul Vernon, head of fleet at Brakes.

“We’ve worked closely with DAF, Solomon Commercials and Frigoblock, and the result is a truck with an exacting specification. We have a fleet which totals over 1,500 vehicles and around 75% are DAF LFs, circa 1000, so we are very well aware of the trucks’ credentials. We’re expecting no different from the LF Electric. The distribution sector is starting to embrace zero-emissions and we’re confident the new DAF gives us the right solution to provide productivity benefits,” he said.