Paccar has installed its first on-site power supply system consisting of 750 solar panels, at the BEST DAF Trucks centre in Barendrecht, Netherlands. In combination with an energy storage system, the solar panels power the three superchargers, able to fast charge electric trucks (maximum output of 360 kW) leaving the workshop.

DAF Trucks Vlaanderen (a subsidiary of Dutch truck manufacturer, DAF Trucks NV) has been named “Factory of the Future” by the Belgian technology federation Agoria. The criteria are based on sustainability and the use of pioneering technology and manufacturing practices.

The company reported a record production of 69,800 units (68,000 in 2022), up 1,800 from the previous year. 57,900 of these were medium and heavy-duty CF, XD, XF, XG and XG+ trucks that came off the production line (56,100 in 2022) and the other  11,900 being  LF and XB distribution trucks.

Built for the U.S. Department of Energy’s SuperTruck II programme, the prototype truck, described by Paccar as a “testbed for future product technologies”, was developed in order to improve freight ton efficiency by 100% compared to a 2009 baseline.

Solutrans 2023 was held between 21-25 November at Eurexpo in Lyon, France. Over 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000 guests gathered for the 17th edition of this historic show, centred around the European heavy and light commercial vehicle industry.

The trucks are equipped with an e-motor offering nominal power of 120kW and 190kW output and nominal torque of 950 and 1,850Nm respectively (2,600 and 3,500Nm peak performance). 

The Euro VI engine's maximum torque has been increased by 50 (to 150 Nm) and offers lower fuel consumption and longer time between service intervals than previous generations due to high torque and low revs. The new powertrains are able to run on HVO biodiesel.

Production of the XB will replace the LF at Leyland Trucks in Leyland, UK.

The new truck will go into production in Q4 2023 at the DAF factory in Eindhoven. The vehicles are equipped with a powerful e-motor offering nominal power in 120kW or 190kW ratings and a nominal torque rating of 950 and 1,850Nm respectively (2,600 and 3,500Nm peak performance).  

The official handover will take place on September 1, 2023. Bosmans has been at DAF for 19 years and has held positions in operations, quality control and sales, including the key position of Director of Operations for PACCAR Financial Europe.

The event was designed to demonstrate the vehicle’s capabilities.

DAF’s new generation combustion engine trucks (LF and XD series as well as certain XF, XG and XG+ trucks) are able to use Hydrogen Vegetable Oil (HVO), a biofuel the company claims can reduce CO2 by 90% compared with diesel. For operators, these new generation trucks can utilise HVO without any modifications whilst emulating their performance and service intervals of up to 200,000 kilometres.