Arla Foods adds four DAF XD Electric trucks to its Danish fleet
Arla Foods has taken delivery of four additional DAF XD Electric trucks for refrigerated distribution in Denmark, following the introduction of its first three units last year. The new 6x2 rigids feature 525 kWh battery packs and will be supported by a dedicated PACCAR Power Solutions charging facility in Hobro.
Arla Foods is expanding its electric truck fleet in Denmark with four additional DAF XD Electric 6×2 rigids, which will be used to distribute refrigerated dairy products.
The order follows the introduction of the dairy cooperative’s first three XD Electric trucks last year. According to Arla, the experience gained with those vehicles played a key role in the decision to return to DAF for the latest additions.
“The all-round visibility, driver comfort and the entry with just two steps make these vehicles the favourites of our fleet,” said Michael Engsig Hansen, Arla Fleet Manager, also pointing to energy consumption and reliability among the reasons behind the repeat order.
DAF XD Electric: 525 kWh and up to 550 km
The four new trucks are equipped with a 350 kW (480 hp) electric driveline and a 525 kWh battery pack. DAF quotes a range of up to 550 kilometres on a full charge.
Interestingly, electrification is not replacing Arla’s conventional fleet altogether. Alongside the four electric trucks, the company is also putting seven new XD 6×2 rigids powered by the 450 hp MX-11 diesel engine into service. All eleven vehicles are covered by DAF MultiSupport repair and maintenance contracts.
Depot charging tailored to Arla’s operations
The other significant part of the project is the charging infrastructure. The electric trucks will be based at Arla’s dairy plant in Hobro, where PACCAR Power Solutions is installing a 480 kW power unit feeding six charging points capable of delivering up to 400 kW each.
However, maximum charging power is not necessarily what Arla needs in everyday operation. According to PACCAR Power Solutions, an analysis of the company’s transport activities found that overnight depot charging is sufficient for virtually all of the trucks’ assignments. The approach should allow the vehicles to start each working day fully prepared while keeping energy demand under control.
That makes this latest deployment particularly relevant beyond the four trucks themselves. Rather than treating vehicle and charger as separate elements, Arla and DAF have matched the electric fleet and its charging strategy to the actual transport operation.
