DAF LF Electric breaks cover at Brakes
Food distributor Brakes has put its first DAF LF Electric truck on the road as parent company Sysco seeks to end the acquisition of diesel trucks by 2030. Sysco expects an annual CO2 saving of 52 tonnes from replacing a diesel vehicle with the LF Electric.
Payload parity with a diesel 18-tonner is achieved by the LF Electric thanks to the one-tonne alternative fuel allowance that enables it to run at 19-tonnes GVW.
Brakes’ new DAF LF Electric has been specified in partnership with Solomon Commercials which supplied and installed dual-compartment bodywork, and Frigoblock with its ‘FK2’ refrigeration unit to provide two-zone temperature control – frozen at the front, and chilled at the rear of the body – giving a payload of around eight tonnes. The FK2 unit draws energy directly from the battery pack and will alone contribute an annual 17-tonne CO2 saving.
Powered by an electric motor developing 250kW nominal power (370kW peak) and nominal torque of 1,200Nm (3,700Nm peak) the LF Electric features DAF’s latest LFP batteries providing a gross energy content of 282kWh (254 kWh effective) to give a single charge range of 280 km, ideal for urban distribution applications. The LFP battery pack comes with the peace-of-mind of a six-year warranty, and contains no cobalt or magnesium, offering further sustainability credentials for truck operators.
Paul Vernon, head of fleet at Brakes, said: “We’re excited by the potential of the new DAF LF Electric. “We’ve worked closely with DAF, Solomon Commercials and Frigoblock, and the result is a truck with an exacting specification. We have a fleet which totals over 1,500 vehicles and around 75 per cent are DAF LFs, so we are very well aware of the trucks’ credentials – outstanding manoeuvrability, a practical, comfortable cab for drivers and, of course, great reliability. We’re expecting no different from the LF Electric.
“The distribution sector is starting to embrace zero-emissions,” he said, “and we’re confident the new DAF gives us the right solution to provide productivity benefits.
“With so many DAFs on our fleet back-up is crucial and DAF has always given us fantastic support – particularly at dealer level through supplying DAF Dealer, Chassis Cab. This is especially important as we transition to the new electric product. To have the expertise of the UK’s market-leading truck manufacturer in support provides us with a huge amount of confidence.”
