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Einride, DAF Partner to Scale up Autonomous EV

[ August 13, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

Einride and DAF Trucks are partnering to integrate autonomous-driving technology into DAF electric trucks, moving the companies toward eventual commercial deployment of SAE Level 4 autonomous electric freight vehicles.

The companies will initially work with Dutch research institute TNO to define and test integration of Einride’s autonomous driving system, Einride Driver, with DAF’s electric truck platform.

Testing and validation of key interfaces is scheduled during 2026, followed by integration and commissioning of Einride’s autonomous software on a DAF truck in 2027. The partners are also working with type-approval authorities on requirements for eventual operation on public roads.

Level 4 automation allows a vehicle to operate without human intervention within specified operating conditions or environments.

“By leveraging DAF’s decades of manufacturing excellence and market strength, we can expedite the global scale-up of Einride’s autonomous technology,” said Einride Chief Technology Officer Henrik Green.

The project also builds on automated-driving development by DAF parent PACCAR, including its North American Autonomous Vehicle Platform program and work with autonomous-driving technology providers.

For Einride, the agreement extends its vehicle-agnostic approach to autonomy by integrating its technology with an established truck manufacturer’s production platform rather than limiting the system to a proprietary autonomous vehicle.

DAF offers electric trucks ranging from the 12-tonne XB Electric for urban distribution through the XG and XG+ Electric for longer-haul operations. Its XD and XF Electric models were jointly named International Truck of the Year 2026.

The companies said the initiative is aimed at eventual large-scale commercialization of autonomous electric freight operations as carriers confront driver availability and operating-cost pressures.

Tags: DAF Trucks, Einride, PACCAR