Alongside our two pilot operations in Barcelona and Istanbul, which have either concluded or begun earlier this year, NextETRUCK is also testing vehicles in the United Kingdom through its cooperation with DAF UK. Since March 2026, the manufacturer has been supporting the logistics company Turners of Soham in its first use of battery-electric medium-sized trucks, an exercise due to run until the NextETRUCK project closes in late September 2026. For an overview, please read the operational summary below and visit our pilot page for further technical detail.
What is the pilot testing?
The collaboration between DAF UK and Turners of Soham involves two 19-tonne DAF XB electric trucks with an installed capacity of 282 kWh. In service every day since March 2026, they generate data on operational variables and the effect these have on performance, including driving style, load weight, topography, temperature and other parameters. DAF UK will also guide the freight operator through its first steps into the routine use of battery-electric medium-sized vehicles, covering the monitoring of charging cycles, driver instruction and an initial review of the recorded data to provide feedback on how the trucks perform along their regular routes.
Why did DAF UK join the NextETRUCK pilot?
Taking part was a logical step for DAF UK, which has already contributed to several initiatives focused on electric HGVs, such as the Battery Electric Truck Trial (BETT) and the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration (ZEHID). The company is committed to playing its part in the transition to zero-emission transport.
Would you like to see our UK test vehicles, climb into the cab yourself and learn more about the advantages of medium-sized trucks for daily peri-urban operations? Registration is now open for our final conference, taking place on 28 September in Brussels.