Einride and DAF target Level 4 autonomous electric trucks
Einride and DAF Trucks have announced a joint initiative to integrate Einride’s autonomous driving system, Einride Driver, into DAF’s premium electric truck platform, bringing SAE Level 4 autonomous electric trucks closer to commercial deployment.
The collaboration is aimed at addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the road transport industry, including driver shortages, rising operating costs and the need to reduce freight emissions.
SAE Level 4 represents a high level of driving automation in which a vehicle can perform driving tasks independently under predefined conditions, without human intervention. This could allow drivers to concentrate on other logistics activities where their expertise and judgement deliver greater value.
Einride autonomous technology meets DAF electric trucks
As the first stage of the project, Einride and DAF will work with Dutch independent research institute TNO to define and test how Einride Driver can be integrated into DAF’s electric truck platform.
The work will focus on establishing the interfaces required to support safe, scalable autonomous operation. It will use DAF’s electric truck platform, which was jointly voted ‘International Truck of the Year 2026’ for its efficiency, smooth driveline performance and driver comfort.
The companies will also work closely with type approval authorities, with TNO providing support, to ensure the vehicle platform can meet the requirements for potential future expansion onto public roads.
Initial testing and validation of key interfaces is planned during 2026. In 2027, Einride’s autonomous driving software will be integrated and commissioned on a DAF truck, followed by further interface validation and functional testing.
PACCAR autonomous driving experience
The initiative also builds on PACCAR’s existing automated driving activities, including experience gained through its North American Autonomous Vehicle Platform (AVP) programme.
PACCAR is also working with emerging full-stack technology providers as the autonomous trucking ecosystem develops. The manufacturer says these programmes are providing valuable insights into scalable, software-defined autonomous driving systems for heavy-duty transport.
This experience could help accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous capabilities within DAF’s European truck platform.
‘Step closer to L4 at commercial scale’
“By leveraging DAF’s decades of manufacturing excellence and market strength, we can expedite the global scale-up of Einride’s autonomous technology,” said Henkrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride.
“This collaboration validates our vehicle-agnostic approach to autonomy and brings us one step closer to deploying safe, scalable Level 4 autonomy at commercial scale.”
‘Shaping a more efficient freight ecosystem’
“This collaboration is a testament to DAF’s commitment to innovation and future-proofing the logistics sector,” said Jeroen van den Oetelaar, DAF Trucks’ Chief Engineer and member of the board.
“By combining our premium truck platform with leading autonomous technology, we are actively shaping a more efficient, safer, and sustainable freight ecosystem.”
DAF electric truck range expands autonomous potential
DAF already offers a complete range of electric trucks, from the 12-tonne XB Electric designed for urban distribution through to the XG and XG+ Electric for longer-haul applications.
The XG Electric and XG+ Electric share their technology DNA with the XD and XF Electric models, which were jointly named ‘International Truck of the Year 2026’.
The partnership with Einride could therefore provide a route towards introducing autonomous technology across an established electric truck platform, rather than developing a dedicated autonomous vehicle from the ground up.
For fleet operators, the potential benefits extend beyond removing the driver from repetitive driving tasks. Combining electric powertrains with Level 4 autonomy could ultimately improve vehicle utilisation, reduce operating costs and help address persistent driver availability issues.
However, widespread deployment will depend on more than the technology itself. Regulatory approval, infrastructure, operational safety and the ability to demonstrate reliable autonomous performance in real-world freight environments will all be critical.
The Einride-DAF partnership is therefore an important step, but not yet a guarantee of fully autonomous electric trucks operating commercially across public roads. The testing and validation programme over the next two years will determine how quickly the technology can move from development to practical deployment.
