DAF Trucks have delivered the CF Electric -- its first all-electric truck -- to Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo.
Built in partnership with VDL, a Netherlands-based electric powertrain and bus producer with distribution throughout European markets, the vehicle is powered by a 210 kW electric motor producing a 62-mile range and also is equipped with a 30-minute quick battery charge as well as a 1.5-hour full battery charge. In all, the tractor weighs around 82,000 pounds with peak 326 horsepower.
Jumbo intends to use the 9.7-ton CF electric to deliver goods across its supermarkets, with a focus in urban areas.
"The transport sector is about to undergo a major transformation," DAF Trucks President Harry Wolters said.
"Electric trucks look set to become the norm for deliveries in urban areas. Not today and not next year, but definitely within the foreseeable future. I am particularly proud that today marks the beginning of a large-scale field testing project that will see DAF working in collaboration with VDL and Jumbo. This project will allow us to gather useful data and experience in relation to both the technology and the operational aspects. We can then use our findings to ensure that the final series-production model provides the ideal solution to future market requirements."
Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd added, "Introducing this new electric truck is the next step towards our goal of implementing a sustainable strategy for our vehicle fleet."
"Our business puts us right at the heart of the community, and our ultimate goal is to be using electric vehicles to supply 45% of our shops. By 2020, we hope to have reduced CO2 emissions from Jumbo's vehicle fleet by 50% compared with 2008."
The CF Electric marks the last in a long line of large all-electric trucks, with Class 8 Daimler's E-Fuso Vision One, Los Angeles, California-based startup Thor Trucks ET-One, and Komatsu's 50-ton "e-Dumper" making waves in recent years.
Regrettably, the truck's claimed 62-mile range is disappointing, limiting it to very short routes and barely round trips with a large urban area.