DAF Trucks has delivered a CF Electric truck to Tinie Manders Transport in the Netherlands to further research the viability of the technology.

The first CF Electric was put into operation last December by Dutch supermarket chain jumbo, with Tinie Manders combining the fully-electric truck with a fully-electric refrigerated trailer.

Jos Habets, director operations and member of the board of management, said: “It is clear that the transport sector is on the cusp of a major transformation.

“The electric truck is set to become the norm in more and more urban areas in future.

“I am extremely proud that we are now in a position to broaden our experience with electric trucks in collaboration with Tinie Manders Transport.

“The data that we collect about both the technology and the operational deployment will feed into the specifications for the final production models, thus ensuring that they fit seamlessly with the requirements of the market.”

Eveline Manders, of Tinie Manders Transport, said: “We are very proud to be one of the first to drive this pioneering DAF.

“We have been involved in its development from the outset and we are, of course, curious to see the results in practice.

“Our decision as to whether to expand the range of electric vehicles within our company will be based not only on the zero emissions factor, but also on the ease of use and the additional possibilities that this truck offers us.

“Zero emissions combined with the minimal noise levels of the truck mean that we can also meet the increasingly stringent legal requirements for inner city transport, thereby enabling us to set ourselves apart from the competition.”