Electric Trucks, DAF to start new assembly factory in Eindhoven. Series production in spring 2023
There, the production of the New Generation DAF XD and XF Electric is expected to start in spring, this year. According to DAF, the construction of the new assembly plant was completed in just 18 months.
DAF has inaugurated its new assembly factor for electric trucks at the company’s main production site in Eindhoven. There, the production of the New Generation DAF XD and XF Electric is expected to start in spring, this year.
According to DAF, the construction of the new assembly plant was completed in just 18 months. The Dutch manufacturer “expects production to rise to several thousand vehicles per annum” over the next few years, in line with the increasing demand for fully electric trucks, namely 4×2 and 6×2 rigids and 4×2 tractors.
DAF electric trucks: the assembly process
The basis for each new generation electric DAF truck is a so-called glider, a chassis without a driveline but with a cab. The glider is manufactured on DAF’s main truck production line. The 4×2 and 6×2 rigids and 4×2 tractors are then completed to XD and XF Electric trucks in an eight-step process on the Electric Truck Assembly production line.
More into details of electric trucks production, the new factory actually has two assembly lines. The battery packs are assembled on the sub-assembly line while all high-voltage components, including batteries and driveline, are mounted on the chassis on the main assembly line. Thorough checks are then carried out at the final stations to ensure that the truck is in perfect working order.
Manifold powertrain options
As for the powertrain, in addition to the availability of two PACCAR EX engines (with six different performance ratings), the battery packs can also be mounted in different positions on the chassis, depending on the customer’s requirements. This guarantees maximum flexibility for bodybuilders.
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The DAF XD and XF Electric were launched at the IAA fair in Hanover in September 2022. The fully electric PACCAR drivelines deliver outputs of between 210 to 480 hp. DAF also offers a choice of battery packs using a modular approach. The smallest pack contains two ‘strings’ which together have a capacity of 210 kWh and offers a range of up to 200 km. The largest has 5 ‘strings’ with a capacity of 525 kWh and can achieve a range of over 500 km. The electric trucks are perfectly equipped for rapid charging and even the largest battery pack can be charged from 0% to 80% in just over 45 minutes.
