Innovative DAF CF Electric wins Green Truck Award

The two fully electric DAF trucks for Rhenus’ subsidiary Contargo are part of an extensive field test of multiple trucks in Europe and the first CFs Electric that are put into operation in Germany. The DAF CF Electric is a 100% electric 4x2 tractor unit developed for operations of up to 37 tonnes in urban areas, where single-axle or dual-axle trailers are the norm. The vehicle is based on the DAF CF, with a fully electric drive using VDL's E-Power Technology. The core of its intelligent powertrain is a 210-kW electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a current total capacity of 170 kWh. The CF Electric has a range of up to 100 kilometres, depending on the weight of its cargo, making it suitable for zero emissions high-volume transport in urban areas. The batteries have a 30-minute quick-charge feature while a full charge takes just one-and-a-half hours.

Concept worthy of an award

“When awarding the Green Truck Awards, a convincing concept with demonstrable practical relevance makes the difference,” explained Gerhard Grünig, editor-in-chief of VerkehrsRundschau and TRUCKER magazines. “Using the two DAF CF Electric vehicles, the jury was impressed that Contargo was not simply looking to roll out a flagship project for the sake of its media profile, but had spent around two years in preparation analysing with great precision whether electric vehicles are commercially viable in the 44 metric tonne gross vehicle weight range.”

Seamlessly satisfy the market’s needs

Richard Zink, director of marketing and sales and DAF Trucks Board of Management member, added: “Electric trucks will be part of future urban life in Europe. The data we collect about the full electric technology and operational usage with leading parties such as Contargo will be engineered into the specifications of the final production models, ensuring that the vehicles will seamlessly satisfy the market’s needs.”

Contargo aiming for full decarbonisation by 2050

This approach was underlined by Sascha Hähnke, managing director of Rhenus Trucking. “Along with Contargo, we want to move in an innovative direction that no other logistics service providers have yet taken. The electric trucks are part of the first battery-powered truck fleet in Germany. By doing this, we’re making a statement in various directions that this technology has a future,” Hähnke said. Rhenus CEO Michael Viefers added: “There’s a very high willingness at Rhenus to test out new technologies, enabling us to provide resource-efficient logistics. That involves us taking an open approach to technology and we’ll be continuing to sustainably improve our vehicle fleet for our customers’ benefit.”

“Almost 90% CO₂ reduction potential”

Verified calculations were essential to the selection process for the award. According to these numbers, use of the DAF CF Electric reduces carbon emissions by at least 38%, even when using only electricity sourced from the usual grey-and-green energy mix. “Contargo is planning to switch to green electricity at all the terminals it uses,” added Jan Burgdorf, head of testing and technology at VerkehrsRundschau and TRUCKER. “As a result, well-to-wheel CO₂ emissions can be decreased by almost 90%.”

DAF CF 450 on Green Truck podium as well

Not only the DAF CF Electric was awarded, the DAF CF 450 was also put on the podium for the Green Truck 2019 award. With its low fuel consumption of only 23.39 litres per 100 km on the Trucker’s test route, the CF 450 underlined DAF’s continuing focus on the highest efficient diesel engines for long-haul transport.

Photo caption

From left to right: Gerhard Grünig, editor in chief of both TRUCKER and VerkehrsRundschau hands over the Green Truck Logistic Solutions Award to Heinricht Kerstgens, CEO of Contargo and Max Franz, representative of DAF Trucks Deutschland. Right: Jan Burgdorf, editor of TRUCKER and Verkehrs-Rundschau.