This was the DAF theme for their attendance at the IAA 2018 in Hannover at the end of September this year. Showcasing its innovation capabilities throughout its 90 year history, DAF Trucks exhibited its full industry leading product and service range incl

The IAA Commercial Vehicles Show takes place in Hannover every two years and is the world’s leading trade show for transport, logistics and mobility. At this year’s show there was an emphasis on the innovation path in the commercial sector. And as with many other areas of industry, hot topics of discussion were automation, connectivity, safety and security, environmental protection issues and electric mobility.

DAF Trucks has been a world leader in innovation and in its 90th anniversary year has grown to be the premier truck manufacturer in Europe. DAF’s heavy duty market share in Europe has grown in the first half of 2018 and DAF is the heavy duty market leader in the UK.

Trucks at the show included the new LF, CF and XF vehicles, all of which have received awards this year. The LF distribution truck was awarded ‘Fleet truck of the Year 2018’ and the CF and XF were voted ‘International Truck of the Year 2018’ thanks to a 7% fuel efficiency improvement achieved as a result of technical innovations. Also on show were a selection of lighter vocational vehicles which included the CF 8×4 mixer chassis and the unique 6×2 XF with BDF frame for demountable bodies.

With innovation, environmental issues and electric mobility being such a hot topic, there was much interest in the DAF electric innovation trucks. On show were the LF Electric and CF Electric for medium and heavy duty city distribution as well as the CF hybrid for mid-range distribution with zero emissions in urban areas.

Committed to strengthening its industry-leading positions in fuel efficiency and low emissions these vehicle solutions have been developed to champion the need for improving air quality in cities as well as reducing CO2 emissions whilst achieving the best overall efficiency.

DAF LF Electric Innovation Truck

The DAF LF Electric is a 19 tonne fully electric truck for zero emissions city distribution. Powered by a battery pack of up to 222 kWh, it provides a range of up to 220 km when the truck is fully laden. Battery packs are modular and so can be scaled to the range required by customers. The 220 km range is ideal fro city distribution.

DAF CF Electric Innovation truck

The DAF CF Electric is a 4×2 tractor unit for up to 37 tonne GCW applications making it ideal for urban distribution requiring higher payloads and volumes. Based on the award winning and versatile CF series, the vehicle uses VDL’s advanced E-Power Technology for fully electric operation. The centre of the intelligent powertrain is the 210kW/286 hp electric motor which draws energy from the 170 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It has a range of 100 km, which is appropriate for high volume city distributions. A quick battery charge can be completed in 30 minutes and a full charge can be completed in 1.5 hours, which means loading and unloading times can be used to recharge batteries.

DAF CF Hybrid Innovation Truck

The DAF CF Hybrid has been developed for driving electrically with zero emissions in urban areas while offering a longer range to operate beyond those urban areas. Thanks to the latest, ultra clean diesel technology the combination of electric and diesel allows for the highest logistical efficiency. The electric motor is powered by an 85 kWh battery pack which allows a fully electric, zero emission range of 30 to 50 km.

The battery can be charged by the diesel engine during on-highway operations or by using a charger at a charging location. The vehicle has the ability to obtain a full fast charge in 30 minutes, but can obtain an 80% charge in just 20.

Outside of urban operations the vehicle is powered by the clean and efficient PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine, where the hybrid technology provides additional fuel savings thanks to smart energy management. Regenerative energy is captured when braking and also when using speed related controls. It is then used by the electric motor in conjunction with the diesel engine to reduce fuel consumption further.

All three trucks will be thoroughly tested to ensure that the developments provide value to DAF customers. The CF Electric will go into field test operations with customers this year and similar tests are planned for the LF Electric and CF Hybrid in 2019.

Positioned for the Future

“DAF has always provided and always will provide a complete range of excellent trucks that offer the industry’s lowest operating costs, best transport efficiency and highest driver comfort,” said Richard Zink, Director Marketing & Sales and member of the Board of Management of DAF Trucks. “We are building on a rich, 90 year heritage that has resulted in our market leading position. Our strong capabilities will enable us to create trucks and power trains which lead us into the future.”

For 90 years DAF have been innovative industry leaders with customer service, good value and reliability at the forefront of everything they do.

Watts Group, owner of DAF dealership Watts Truck & Van Ltd, has more than 100 years in the commercial vehicle industry and share those same values. Since the turn of the century Watts Group have continued to invest in and improve the business with a focus on customer service. That investment continues today with the relocation of the Watts Truck & Van Swansea depot in South Wales.

The work on the new purpose-built facility in the Enterprise Park in Swansea is going well and the relocation of the depot currently at Cwmdu Industrial Estate is scheduled to take place in Spring 2019.