The new model series includes a range of battery electric and conventionally powered vehicles, with a focus on supporting transport companies in their transition to zero emissions.
The new DAF XB Electric is suited to sustainable inner-city and regional distribution operations. Next to 16- and 19-tonne GVW models, a 12-tonne model with 17.5-inch wheels and a single entry-step is available. Wheelbases start from 4.2 metres.
The e-motor propelling the XB Electric provides 120 or 190 kW of nominal power depending on specification, and a nominal torque of 950 and 1,850 Nm respectively (2,600 and 3,500 Nm peak). DAF employs cobalt and magnesium-free, lithium iron phosphate (LFP – Lithium Ferro Phosphate) high energy-density battery packs with a gross energy content of 141 up to 282 kWh. These allow XB Electric ranges of up to 350 kilometres of ultra-quiet, zero emission operation; more than enough to satisfy the needs of urban distribution transport applications.
A feature of the new DAF XB Electric is the ‘Combined Charging System’. This allows the truck to be charged through the regular electricity network. Rapid charging the batteries (650V DC, 150 kW) from 20% to 80% is said to take 40 to 70 minutes, depending on specification.
Additionally, DAF’s offering includes a range of PACCAR charging solutions, advice on planning routes and charging, and the provision of dedicated training for drivers to get the best out of their vehicles.
Next to the battery electric powertrain, the new DAF XB is available with 4.5 litre 4-cylinder PACCAR PX-5 and 6.7 litre 6-cylinder PACCAR PX-7 engines with outputs from 124 kW (170 hp) to 227 kW (310 hp). Both modern engines develop peak torque at low engine speeds, supporting down-speeding and class leading fuel efficiency.
According to DAF, the PACCAR PX-5 and PX-7 engines are ready for the application of hydrotreated vegetable oil, reducing carbon dioxide emissions with up to 90% (‘well-to-wheel’).
The new DAF XB is offered with a range of factory-designed and built PACCAR Box, Aerobody and Curtainside options, for both diesel-powered and XB Electric variants.
A range of wheelbases (up to 6.9 metres) and chassis lengths allow for bodywork of over nine metres in length.
The new DAF XB and XBC both feature new plug-and play-integration, sharing the same electrical and electronic architecture as their New Generation stablemates, designed and built at the home of DAF truck manufacturing in the UK, Leyland Trucks.
The latest AEBS system (Advanced Emergency Braking System) now uses both a radar and a camera. The system alerts the driver when vulnerable road users are in front of the vehicle (Drive-off Assist). DAF Side Assist alerts when another road user, such as another vehicle, is to the nearside and DAF Turn Assist is active at speeds up to 30 km/h to and warns in case cyclists are in the vehicle’s blind spot. The new DAF Drowsiness Detection assesses the driver’s alertness and warns when a break is needed.
Furthermore, each XB comes with Speed Limit Recognition which recognises speed limits and informs the driver. The Event Data Recorder records images and data when an AEB event is triggered or when the time to collision with a vehicle or vulnerable road user, is below 0.5 seconds.