150,000 electric kilometers – almost four times around the globe – is the colossal practical experience of using the CF Electric by several customers, accumulated by DAF. High-tech VDL E-power electric vehicles are used every day for food delivery and container transport.
In June, DAF CF Electric was awarded the prestigious Green Truck Logistics Solution 2019 award for the introduction of new technologies for the formation of innovative forward-looking logistics processes in Europe. More and more cities are announcing their intention in the near future to allow only silent cars that do not produce harmful emissions to enter the central areas. DAF CF Electric meets these requirements.
Limited edition sales
A year has passed since the first CF Electric car was delivered to the owner. Over the past period, DAF has collected a wealth of data on the use of six electric trucks. Among other things, based on this data, a new version of the model was developed, internally called “Phase 2”, equipped with a new instrument panel and a new generation of software.
“We have reached the point where we can start selling CF Electric in limited series,” comments Richard Zink, member of the board of directors and head of the marketing and sales department. Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia). Depending on the availability of battery charging infrastructure and after-sales service opportunities in the region, sales prospects in other European countries will be considered.
Economic justification
Using CF Electric has helped customers make the economic case for purchasing an electric truck and test it in everyday work. While in the first few weeks CF Electric owners used only a limited part of the available range of 100 kilometers, some transport operators now have electric vehicles traveling up to 250 kilometers per day.
“It’s a matter of well-thought-out travel planning,” says Richard Zink. “The ability to quickly charge the batteries – with the necessary equipment, a full charge takes a little more than 30 minutes – means that if necessary, you can easily and quickly provide additional mileage.”
18 hours a day, 7 days a week
Customers DAF Jumbo, Simon Loos and Tinie Manders Transport from the Netherlands and Rhenus Group from Germany have the CF Electric model in their fleet. At Tinie Manders, the electric truck is used very intensively: the tractor has already traveled more than 30,000 km; it is open seven days a week from six in the morning until midnight. As a rule, his tasks include short transfers in the Eindhoven region.
“CF Electric is as reliable as any other DAF truck,” comments Evelina Manders, co-head of Tinie Manders Transport. “Planning trips and managing an electric truck requires an alternative approach. You need to choose a route for the vehicle, not the other way around. In addition, for the most efficient use of the truck, it is important to be able to charge the batteries during loading and unloading. Taking into account these two nuances, an electric vehicle can become a great alternative for urban transportation.”
Recently, DAF and VDL Group announced plans to put four fully electric three-axle CF Electric refuse trucks into operation to remove waste from urban areas with zero emissions.
About DAF CF Electric models
The DAF CF Electric is a fully electric 4×2 tractor designed for intra-city transport with single-axle or double-axle trailers and a gross weight of up to 37 tons. The car is based on the DAF CF – “International Truck of the Year 2018” – and has a fully electric drive system thanks to VDL’s E-Power technology. At the heart of the intelligent power unit is a 210 kW electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a total capacity of 170 kWh. CF Electric has a range of about 100 km, which allows it to be used for transporting large volumes of cargo in the urban transportation segment.
DAF CF Electric – Technical characteristics
Weight of the tractor: 9700 kg
Electric motor: 210 kW
Torque 2000 Nm
Battery capacity: 170 kWh
The range of a fully charged car is about 100 km
Fast battery charging: 35 minutes (at 300 kW)
