UK / Netherlands – DAF Trucks Ltd of Thame, the UK subsidiary of Dutch truck manufacturer DAF Trucks NV of Eindhoven, Netherlands, made several announcements at Cenex 2024 held at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, UK (4-5 September). On the stand, was its new generation XB electric truck which made its UK debut at the Road Transport Expo (RTX) in June. As part of DAF’s effort to lead in zero-emission urban transportation, the XB Electric is designed for city distribution with battery options ranging from 141 to 282 kWh, offering up to 350 kilometres of range. It features fast-charging capabilities, allowing 20% to 80% charging in 40 to 70 minutes, depending on battery size. Alongside the XB Electric, DAF also highlighted PACCAR Power Solutions, which includes advanced charging systems and energy management tools aimed at helping fleets transition to electric mobility more effectively.

We spoke to Phil Moon, Marketing Manager at DAF Trucks UK who advised that DAF Trucks NV has joined an international platform called HDV Booking, which aims to streamline the reservation of public charging stations for electric trucks across Europe. This initiative is part of a larger effort to improve the efficiency and availability of charging infrastructure for long-distance electric truck transport. The system will enable fleet operators to plan routes more effectively by reserving charging points, taking into account variables such as traffic and driver rest periods. This platform, which includes a consortium of various partners (charging facility providers, software developers, etc.), is expected to be fully operational by 2026. DAF’s participation aligns with its commitment to supporting the transition to zero-emission transport, offering electric trucks like the XD and XF Electric with ranges of up to 500 km, extendable to 1,000 km per day with optimised charging during breaks