The DAF XD and XF Electric trucks were recently awarded the “International Truck of the Year 2026.”
DAF Trucks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paccar Inc., which also manufactures Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks in North America. The International Truck of the Year is presented annually to a vehicle introduced in the previous 12 months.
A 23-member jury assessed technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and total cost of ownership in selecting a winner. The announcement was made at the Solutrans international commercial vehicle show in Lyon, France. This is the third consecutive year that an electric truck has taken the title.
“With the new XD and XF Electric, DAF Trucks demonstrates that the combination of a central electric motor and a traditional rear axle can be just as energy-efficient as a driveline with an e-axle,” said Florian Engel, chairman of the International Truck of the Year jury.
The trucks are powered by Paccar’s EX-D1 and EX-D2 e-motors, delivering outputs from 170 kW (230 hp) to 350 kW (480 hp). It offers zero-emission ranges of over 300 miles (500 km) on a single charge. “This recognition underlines our commitment to drive the future of zero-emission transport through innovation, quality, and sustainability,” said DAF President Harald Seidel.
Bosch wins Truck Innovation Award
The Truck Innovation Award 2026 was awarded to Bosch for its Road Hazard Service, a connected technology that uses real-time data to warn drivers of potential hazards.
It uses anonymized data from connected vehicles and information from weather services to provide early warnings of heavy rain, fog, accidents, or broken-down vehicles. The award’s jury recognized the positive impact on road safety and the reduction of potential accident risks – such as serious crashes caused by slippery roads or poor visibility.
“Bosch’s Road Hazard Service shows the significant impact that the effective use of big data can already have on people’s lives and everyone’s safety today,” said Engel.
