A 26-tonne loaded CF Electric from DAF has become the first battery powered truck to traverse an Austrian mountain pass.
The DAF navigated the 48km-long Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which features 36 hairpin bends and 12% inclines.
Thankfully, the loaded CF Electric made it through the challenging terrain, proving its EV credentials in a tough environment.
It’s no secret that some transport operators have their doubts about heavy duty electric vehicles.
Therefore, Austrian DAF dealer Tschann decided to put the vehicle to the test.
The DAF CF Electric entered the market in 2018 and is available as a 4×2 tractor and 6×2 rigid.
Operators in numerous European countries are running the third generation vehicles on their fleets.
For example, CF Electrics can be found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, UK and Hungary.
In addition, they are used for various applications including supermarket distribution, refuse collection and container transport.
Importantly, those operators are able to achieve up to 500km a day by detailed planning and charging.
The CF Electric was loaded with 26 tonnes GCW and drove from Salzburg to the foot of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
On the way, it encountered a mixture of motorways and provincial roads.
Then, a course was set to the finishing line of the winding, mountain pass.
Tschann director Enrico Simma recalls the journey in the loaded CF Electric.
“The 48-kilometre route with 36 sharp hairpin bends and its steep slopes of 12% remains a challenge,” he admitted.
“Therefore, it’s the ultimate test for any vehicle – and the CF Electric passed with flying colours.
Continuing, he said that the CF had performed better than many would have expected.
“This is the proof that the CF Electric can be used on any route as long as there is a good charging infrastructure!”
