DAF Trucks pledges diesel parity with 100 XD Electric tractors and bold five-year TCO claim

The initiative underscores the market leader’s confidence in the commercial viability of electric transport. The offer is open until 15th December 2025, with factory builds completed by 30th April 2026 and registration before 31st May 2026.

DAF Trucks is hosting a webinar on 21st November to describe the offer in detail. Interested operators are invited to register for the event at: https://l.ead.me/DAFUK

Comprehensive five-year TCO analysis by DAF Trucks reveals a compelling business case. Taking into account UK tax benefits, Plug in Truck Grant, fuel savings, maintenance costs and zero road tax, operators could even see weekly running costs lower than equivalent diesel trucks using a 100,000 KMs per annum benchmark, when compared against traditional operating lease with R&M. The claim represents a watershed moment for truck operators, signalling the removal of traditional cost barriers to electric truck adoption.

PACCAR Financial is supporting the offer through an innovative and attractive Contract Purchase terms, with DAF MultiSupport R&M contracts available to provide comprehensive nationwide maintenance coverage. The structure allows operators to benefit from reclaiming full VAT upfront, claiming 100% First Year Capital Allowances, whilst retaining full-flexibility at contract end through a Guaranteed Future Value provision. This enables operators the option to either pay the stated balloon and take full-ownership of the truck, or hand back the truck back (subject to return conditions), owing nothing more, thus giving operators maximum flexibility at the end of the term. 

Beyond the financial advantages, each truck will save approximately 283 tonnes of CO2 over five years compared with an equivalent diesel tractor; a reduction that many businesses are increasingly attributing monetary value to as part of their net-zero commitments.
 
The initiative follows the successful implementation of the Zero Emissions HGV & Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, which will see over 90 DAF Electric tractors deployed across UK operations, and coinciding with the ramp-up of series production for DAF's New Generation DAF Electric truck range later in 2025.

The DAF XD Electric 350 FT 4x2 tractor features a 525kWh Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) battery pack with 462kWh usable capacity, providing real-world range of up to 500 kilometres. The truck supports DC charging up to 325kW, enabling rapid top-ups when required, while overnight charging provides a straightforward solution for single-shifted operations covering over 400km per day. With an eight-year battery warranty, DAF is demonstrating full confidence in the long-term reliability and residual values of electric technology.

Specification highlights include a luxury High Sleeper cab with 4-Star TfL Direct Vision Standard rating, DAF Digital Vision System, automatic climate control, navigation and comprehensive safety features. The truck is supplied fully equipped to the same premium standard as diesel equivalents, ensuring no compromise in driver comfort or operational capability.

DAF's UK dealer network is increasingly EV-ready, with over 200 IMI Level 3 electric vehicle technicians in training, 180kW charging facilities being installed at all sales locations, and nationwide DAFAid coverage ensuring comprehensive support for electric truck operators.

Louis Jones, EV & Connected Services Director at DAF Trucks, said, “We're not just trialling electric, we’re proving it works. This offer fundamentally changes the conversation around electric trucks. We're not asking operators to pay a premium for environmental credentials – we're demonstrating that electric operation, over time, can deliver a better TCO than diesel.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” he said, “lower weekly costs, zero-emissions and no compromise on performance or specification. With New Generation DAF Electric series production about to commence, and with the technology now proven in the field, the business case for electrification has never been stronger. We encourage operators to act quickly to secure their allocation from this limited offer of 100 trucks.”