50 Years of ITOY – 2026 DAF XD and XF Electric
DAF was very early to the electric scene and provided electrified vehicles to select operators for operational testing following an announcement in May 2018. These CF trucks were fitted with 210kW electric motors by VDL, and were conceived as low-noise distribution vehicles for urban operation at up to 40 tonnes.
By 2021, CF and LF rigid vehicles were offered, and at September 2022’s IAA Transportation show the new generation of electric XD and XF trucks were announced. A new production facility in Eindhoven was opened in 2023, pre-production vehicles underwent operational testing in 2024, and full series production commenced in September 2025.
The new electric range also included the XB, but the IToY jury chose the XD and XF range as the 2026 winners, the third win for the new-generation DAFs. The benefits of the well-appointed, aerodynamic cabs with superior visibility were well established and offered an ideal workplace for the new vehicles. The cabs have received blue accents to the grilles as an external identifier.
The range consists of 4x2 tractor units and rigids and 6x2 rigids with the XD offered with day, sleeper or high sleeper cabs, and the XF with sleeper or high sleeper cab. Gross vehicle design weights range from 20.5 tonnes to 29 tonnes, with a 50-tonne gross combination weight.
DAF chose to maintain a vertical driveline with a conventional driving axle for greater commonality with diesel vehicles, effective weight distribution and lower overall production costs. LFP (lithium ferro phosphate) batteries are available in modules of between two and five batteries for a 210 kWh to 525kWh capacity. LFP batteries are chosen for their long operational lives and absence of nickel and cobalt.
DAF uses Paccar EX-D1 or EX-D2 e-motors which each package two individual permanent magnet electric motors into a single central housing alongside a ZF 3-speed transmission. The smaller e-motor is available for 170kW, 220kW or 270kW outputs, with the larger unit covering 270kW, 310kW or 350kW, which span the 230hp to 480hp range.
Only one motor within the unit is engaged under partial load, with the second motor instantly engaging when maximum torque or regeneration is needed. The transmission’s planetary gears provide a seamless and highly efficient delivery of power which the IToY jurors described as “almost imperceptible”.
In addition to being the third of the current generation of DAFs to win the IToY, the electric XD and XFs were also the third range of electric trucks to win in successive years. A total of 92 points secured the win amongst some very capable competitors. The shortlist also included the latest diesel offerings from the TRATON Group in the form of the MAN D30 Power Lion and the Scania Super 11 5-cylinder. Shortlisted electric vehicles included the MAN eTGS and the Sany e435, which was the first Chinese vehicle to ever appear in the competition’s shortlist. As the decarbonisation agenda continues it will be interesting to see what the future holds for diesel trucks in the IToY and whether the Chinese can achieve their first win.
