35 DAF - Your Space

Your Space

Heavy trucks are at the very early stages of transition towards Net Zero through decarbonisation Words: Jack Sunderland

All the European

OEM’s are in transition and face exactly the same issues as each other in introducing new technologies. But the battle for the electric truck market will be fought and won by manufacturers providing operators with hard data on how these vehicles can be introduced while minimising disruption to established business operations. In this issue, we open the floor to truck market leader DAF Trucks to hear how it has established an electric truck information source based on real-life UK operations, and how it intends to tackle issues such as the establishment of a competent service network and adequate charging infrastructure.

A new team assembles

The transition to low and zero emission Vehicles is likely to be the most significant strategic challenge for DAF Trucks, and the wider commercial vehicle industry, during the next decade. In order to best manage both the engineering and sales process its essential to get the right people in place. To meet this challenge, Adam Bennett has been appointed to head a new, dedicated EV sales and service function based at DAF Trucks’ UK headquarters in Haddenham. His newly-created position of EV & Sustainability Manager follows his work supporting the introduction of DAF Trucks’ zeroemissions trucks to the UK market; namely the DAF LF Electric and CF Electric products. Adam was instrumental in supporting DAF Trucks in the recent Battery-Electric Truck Trial rolled-out by the UK Government. He is also the EV Charger ‘SPOC” (Single Point of Contact) for his colleagues at DAF Trucks in Eindhoven. Adam joined DAF Trucks in 2019 as Parts Regional Sales Manager and he reports to Gareth Halliwell in his new role. Supporting Adam is newly-appointed Amy Carter, EV Operations Manager, who has been a Technical Trainer for DAF Trucks since 2018, recently specialising in EVs. Amy possesses a wealth of product knowledge and has worked in many roles in the automotive industry; she also boasts Six Sigma certification.

The Challenges

Amy and Adam agree that small to medium operators face a tough challenge if they need to increase the power of their electricity supply to their depot site to support high-speed batterychargers. On the positive side, Amy points out that when the first motor vehicles went on the roads on the turn of the last century there was no dedicated network to sell petrol, but the oil companies evolved a retail offering very quickly, and the same opportunities will be there for our modern-day energy providers.

The Difference

DAF Trucks holds a number of trump cards, in particular its participation in the Battery Truck Trial, (BETT). In June 2021, DAF were awarded funding under the SBRI ZE Road Freight Competition to deploy and research the performance of 20 DAF LF Battery Electric Trucks. The LF Electric was the vehicle of choice with a GVW of 19,000kgs powered by 250kW motor with a battery capacity of 282kWh, available with either a dry freight box body with tail lift or GRP fridge body. All the vehicles can either by rapid charged at 150kW DC or by the slower 22kW AC The 20 vehicles were deployed into nine different public entities, NHS and local authorities and report their current status in real time via the CENEX telematics platform. All the real-time data has been logged and is in the public domain giving a true overview, including operational savings, driver behaviour, maintenance as well as a whole raft of high level reports, all available for free (www.BETT. CENEX.CO.UK ). The prospective EV operator can start forming opinion and analyse costs before making the next move towards electrification. CENEX, the non-profit research and consultancy organisation focused on low emission transport and associated energy infrastructure, partnered with DAF Trucks to lead analysis of the research. A key focus of this research and study is to develop a website and tools to promote electric trucks and educate fleet owners on their adoption. This website is designed to highlight learnings from the trial to help remove barriers to introduction of electric trucks. From DAF Trucks perspective, involvement in such a high-level vehicle trial, and the production of information which will be used to shape industry opinion and vehicle adoption is of vital importance.

Technology

DAF has always been prudent in its approach to technology to avoid exposing their customers to unnecessary risk. Amy explains: “DAF is risk-averse in relation to protecting the customer. Take, for example, our central e-drive system: we prefer this route for now as it allow us to fully utilise the component technology such as the rear axle, wheel rims and tyres already utilised in our current vehicle range. The electric motors essentially occupy the same position in the drivetrain as a diesel engine would. At the moment, it’s the most sensible approach.” The new electric trucks will be available in very early 2023 with full production commencing in weeks 20-21. They benefit from the e-Drive system that utilises two separate motors, and a gearbox with full regenerative braking capability.

Support

The dealer network is key in getting the confidence in the electric product before any operator takes the plunge, Adam reiterates the point that: “DAF is ready, the network currently has 12 Electric Truck Centres already in place to support existing EV vehicles in operation supported by over 40 qualified technicians.” But he sees further investment and growth for 2023 and into 2024: “All of DAF Trucks’ 36 sales locations will be Electric Truck Sales Centres with up to three specialist technicians, equipped with full diagnostic tooling and equipment and with EV-specific parts available. Our in-house roadside assistance provider DAFaid is already fully compliant in dealing with any requests for support. One of the most important parts of selling an EV vehicle is being able to support the customer in the transition, and then to maintain and look after the vehicles.”

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