Since March of this year, the first DAF CF Electric 6×2 garbage truck has been operating in the Dutch household waste disposal company ROVA as part of field tests. The truck is equipped with a zero-emission VDL electric transmission, as well as an all-electric VDL garbage collection body. The vehicle is operated by ROVA in the Dutch city of Zwolle.
Since the end of 2018, DAF CF Electric 4×2 tractors have been used for intra-city transportation by leading transport companies in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as in supermarket chains. While DAF has started limited sales of its CF Electric tractor in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, four all-electric 6×2 chassis are currently undergoing field trials for refuse collection. Three-axle cars provide a high load capacity (total weight up to 28 tons), and thanks to the steerable supporting axle – excellent maneuverability, which is a huge advantage for garbage trucks operating in dense urban areas.
Regular routes
The VDL E-power transmission fitted to the DAF CF Electric 6×2 garbage truck delivers 210kW of power and 2000Nm of torque, just like the CF Electric truck. The transmission is charged from a battery pack with a total energy output of 170 kWh, which is sufficient for normal garbage collection routes. Refuse trucks typically return to the depot every few hours to unload, with the DAF CF Electric able to charge the battery to 80% in just 30 minutes.
“No worse than a regular truck”
According to Marco van Lente, CEO of ROVA, the ease of use of the DAF CF Electric garbage truck is a key point. “The DAF CF Electric is as comfortable and easy to operate as any truck with a conventional drive, and we sincerely believe that it is important to participate in the energy transition from the beginning, as natural resources become increasingly scarce. Caring for the future of our planet is in our DNA, and using low-emission vehicles is part of our sustainability plan.”
