One-off DAF XD Electric inspired by 1996 racing truck will collect milk in Netherlands
A unique DAF XD Electric, styled after DAF's 1996 racing truck, will collect milk for Dutch dairy transporter Van Der Mierden.
- 350 kW (480 hp)
- 525 kWh
- more than 500 km
- more than 60
What Happened
DAF has delivered a unique one-off DAF XD Electric tractor unit to Van Der Mierden Transport in the Netherlands, which will use it for milk collection transport. The fully electric truck is inspired by the iconic DAF racing truck from 1996 and features the appearance of the DAF Race Truck from the 1990s, with a unique colour scheme and striping. It was specified by DAF Netherlands and delivered by DAF dealer Truckland, and is perfectly suited to the possibilities offered by an electric truck.
The vehicle is based on a DAF XD 350 FT 4x2 tractor unit, named International Truck of the Year 2026. It is powered by a 350 kW (480 hp) driveline with a 525 kWh battery pack, giving a range of more than 500 kilometres on a single charge depending on the application.
“With this DAF, we demonstrate that sustainability, operational practicality and a distinctive design go hand in hand. We deliberately chose an innovative and sustainable electric solution that can be deployed directly in day-to-day operations. Like our customers, we care about nature and the future of the next generations.”
Van Der Mierden Transport has been in business for more than 60 years as a family-owned company, starting with a horse and cart collecting milk churns from local farms. Today its state-of-the-art fleet consists almost entirely of DAF trucks, and it transports fresh milk, dairy raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products throughout the Netherlands and beyond using insulated tank trailers among other equipment. The company operates several special vehicles and was immediately interested when it learned about this truck through DAF dealer Truckland.
Previously from DAF Trucks N.V.
DAF has been expanding its electric truck lineup. Prior coverage noted that DAF began series production of its XG Electric and XG+ Electric trucks, with the first unit delivered to German logistics firm Hellmold & Plank.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of DAF Trucks N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
This delivery shows that electric trucks can be built for specific everyday jobs, not just general freight: Van Der Mierden will use this one-off XD Electric for milk collection, an application the company says suits the possibilities of an electric truck. With a 525 kWh battery and more than 500 km of range, it can be deployed directly in daily dairy operations. For a 60-year-old family hauler, choosing an electric special vehicle also links sustainable…
Terms in This Story
- tractor unit
- The cab and drivetrain portion of an articulated truck that pulls a semi-trailer.
- battery pack
- A group of connected batteries that stores electrical energy to power an electric vehicle.
- zero-emission technology
- Systems that produce no tailpipe emissions, such as electric propulsion.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.