DAF Trucks has commenced delivery of its zero emission LF Electric distribution trucks for use in urban areas. The first DAF LF Electric will be acquired by the Dutch logistics service provider Nabuurs, which will be using the truck to supply the hospitality establishments of the AB InBev brewing company in Groningen.
In 2018 DAF was the first European truck manufacturer to introduce a fully electric truck to the market: the CF Electric. The CF Electric has a fully electric range of around 200 kilometres. Efficient planning and smart charging of thebatteries enable customers to have their trucks cover up to 500 fully electric kilometres a day.
While the CF Electric is aimed more at the regional supply of supermarkets and garbage collection services, the LF Electric is more suitable for lighter distribution tasks, thanks to its compact dimensions. The LF Electric is available as a 19-ton rigid (wheelbase 5.30 or 5.85 metres) with a payload allowance of 11,700 kilograms.
The zero-emission truck has a 260 kW (370 kW peak capacity) electric motor that is powered by a 282 kWh (252 kWh effective) cobalt and magnesium-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. This gives the LF Electric a range of up to 280 kilometres, which is more than enough to serve the daily routes typically used for inner-city distribution.
One special feature of the DAF LF Electric is its Combined Charging System. Using slow charging (400V AC, 22 kW, 3 phases) the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in 6.5 hours. A full recharge (0% tot 100%) takes 12 hours. Fast charging (650V DC, 150 kW) is also possible. The battery can then be charged from 20% to 80% in only 60 minutes or in 2 hours when recharging fully from zero.