Hybrid Electric Vehicles
The best of both worlds
HEV or Hybrid Electric Vehicles – they combine the best of both worlds: fully electric in urban areas and clean diesel technology everywhere else. DAF has been testing this very promising technology, one that has the important advantage of being adaptable to almost every situation.
DAF CF Hybrid
The DAF CF Hybrid Innovation trucks currently being tested in the field are equipped with a 10.8 l PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine (up to 330 kW/450 hp) and a ZF electric motor (75 kW/100 hp, peak power: 130 kW/175 pk) integrated with a special ZF TraXon gearbox for hybrid drivelines. The electric motor is driven by a 85 kWh battery pack which recharges when the diesel engine is being used. When the battery is fully charged, the truck - depending on the total weight - has an electric range of up to 50 kilometres, which is more than enough to travel in and out of urban areas.
Outside of town the CF Hybrid is powered by the clean and efficient PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine, which offers a long range of operation. The energy generated by the exhaust brake and Down Hill Speed Control is used by the electric motor to back up the diesel engine. This is very beneficial both in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions when the diesel engine is in use.
Meeting stricter emissions regulations
Hybrid solutions also enable operators to meet ever-stricter emissions regulations. From 2025 onwards, several European cities will only allow zero-emission commercial vehicles in city centres. For heavy and medium-duty trucks that clock up most of their mileage outside of urban areas, hybrid technology is the perfect solution for this restriction. Fully electric driving ensures zero emissions in urban centres, while clean diesel technology offers maximum range and flexibility outside cities.
DAF has a long track record in hybrid technology
In 2010, we developed the LF Hybrid which had a fully electric range of 2 kilometres. Our experimental XF Hybrid was developed in 2012 and was capable of 1.5 kilometres of fully electric driving. The DAF Convenient, named after a 2016 EU-funded project, was a hybrid test vehicle that achieved improved fuel efficiency and a fully electric driving range of 3 to 6 kilometres. In 2017, the EU EcoChamps project produced a hybrid with improved fuel efficiency and a fully electric driving range of 10 kilometres at reduced cost and weight. Also this truck demonstrated DAF's experience in developing hybrid solutions.
"When we began to develop electric and hybrid trucks many years ago, it became clear that this involved numerous truck's features and that coordination was needed between many different stakeholders and colleagues who are responsible for specific components and systems", says John. "For example, the driveability of the truck needs to be re-examined, because electric trucks have to drive with a similar feeling as the existing DAF trucks. I am the person who brings together all technical requirements and aligns the boundary conditions."
John Kessels
Project Manager Hybrid/Electric Powertrains
