DAF Trucks Partners With VDL Groep On A Fully Electric Class 8 Truck

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The competition in electric trucks is quickly heating up as the flood of products developed in response to Tesla’s Semi reveal last year continue to be unveiled. This time, DAF Trucks has revealed its new CF Electric truck that it developed in partnership with VDL Groep.

The beautifully normal truck comes with a 100 kilometer range with fast charging that makes it a great option for short haul routes that require fast turnarounds. To that effect, it has been equipped with high power charging capability that allows it to quick charge in just 30 minutes in order to recharge while being loaded or unloaded. A full charge of its 170kWh battery pack takes a bit longer at 1.5 hours, which is still extremely rapid, considering how massive the battery is.

Tasked with propelling the truck down the road is a 210 kW electric motor which runs whisper quiet. The fast charging and silent operation make DAF’s new CF an attractive alternative for operations that need to run 24/7 without the hassle of noisy diesel engines or the emissions they generate.

The first round of CF Electric trucks will be delivered to key customers this year in a 4×2 tractor configuration developed for up to 40 ton distribution applications within urban areas in which single or double axle semi-trailers are the standard.

The truck bodies will be manufactured by DAF in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, after which they will be outfitted with a fully electric powertrain and battery pack by VDL Groep which is also located in Eindhoven. This unique partnership demonstrates the flexibility offered by electric powertrains and paves a path forward for internal combustion-focused automotive manufacturers to electrify their products.

“DAF has a strong history of developing innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers and we will continue to provide them the full complement of appropriate technology choices to ensure their success”, stated Preston Feight, DAF Trucks president. “DAF was among the first manufacturers to introduce a hybrid electric distribution truck in Europe and has continued to develop hybrid and electric powertrains. As cities announce their intention to require zero emissions and ultra-low noise we will make sure our customers have the optimal solutions for their success.”

VDL has proven itself as not just a builder of large electric vehicles through its years of experience with buses but also as a robust partner for DAF as it dives into fully electric powertrains for its trucks.

“VDL has proven itself as a leader in fully electric buses for public transport and has already delivered hundreds of electric buses to public transport operators throughout Europe,” said Willem van der Leegte, president of VDL Groep. “Partnering with DAF on this electric truck is an exciting development and represents a tremendous opportunity for two Eindhoven based technology companies to lead the electric commercial vehicle world.”


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Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

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