VIBY – Danish dairy company Arla Foods has taken delivery of four new fully electric DAF XD Electric trucks. The 6×2 rigids will be used for the distribution of refrigerated dairy products in Denmark. At the same time, PACCAR Power Solutions is installing a new charging facility at Arla’s site in Hobro.
Arla Foods already had three DAF XD Electric trucks in operation. According to the company, the positive experience with these vehicles prompted it to place a follow-up order for another four electric trucks.
“The all-round visibility, driver comfort and the entry with just two steps make the vehicles favourites in our fleet,” says Michael Engsig Hansen, Fleet Manager at Arla. He added that the drivetrain, favourable energy consumption and high reliability also contributed to the decision to order additional DAF XD Electric trucks.
525 kWh battery pack
The four new DAF XD Electric trucks are 6×2 rigids equipped with a 350 kW, or 480 hp, electric powertrain.
The trucks feature a 525 kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 550 kilometres on a full charge, according to DAF.
In addition to the four electric trucks, Arla is also taking delivery of seven new DAF XD 6×2 rigids powered by the MX-11 diesel engine. These vehicles have an output of 330 kW, or 450 hp.
All new vehicles are supplied with a DAF MultiSupport Repair & Maintenance contract.
New charging facility in Hobro
The electric trucks will be based at Arla’s dairy facility in Hobro, Denmark. PACCAR Power Solutions is installing a charging facility there for the electric fleet.
The charging site will feature a 480 kW power unit and six high-speed charging points. Each charging point can provide up to 400 kW of charging power.
PACCAR Power Solutions analysed Arla’s transport operations to ensure that the charging infrastructure matches the daily deployment of the trucks.
“The analyses by PACCAR Power Solutions show that overnight depot charging is more than sufficient for virtually all of Arla’s transport operations,” says Frank van den Dungen, Managing Director of PACCAR Parts Europe.
According to Van den Dungen, this approach keeps energy demand manageable and affordable while ensuring that the electric trucks are ready for operation every morning.
Reducing CO2 emissions
Arla Foods is based in Viby and is one of the world’s largest and oldest dairy cooperatives, with roots dating back to the 1880s.
The company aims to reduce CO2 emissions from its own operations, including transport. With the addition of the four new DAF XD Electric trucks, Arla now operates seven fully electric DAF XD trucks in its distribution activities.
