Einride and DAF Trucks are working together to integrate Einride’s Einride Driver autonomous driving system into DAF’s premium electric truck platform, with the companies targeting the development of scalable SAE Level 4 autonomous electric freight operations.
The initiative will focus initially on defining and testing the interfaces required to combine Einride’s autonomous driving technology with a DAF electric truck platform. The companies will work with Dutch applied research organisation TNO, while also engaging with type approval authorities as they prepare the technology for potential future operation on public roads.
Autonomous System Meets DAF Electric Truck Platform
The first stage of the programme will involve Einride, DAF and TNO establishing and validating the interfaces needed to integrate Einride Driver into DAF’s electric truck architecture.
The platform selected for the work is based on DAF’s electric truck range, which was recognised as International Truck of the Year 2026. The collaboration is intended to establish a technical foundation for autonomous operation while maintaining the requirements needed for safe and scalable deployment.
Initial testing and validation of key interfaces are scheduled to take place during 2026. The partners plan to proceed with integration and commissioning of Einride’s autonomous driving software in 2027, followed by further interface validation and functional testing using a DAF truck.
“By leveraging DAF’s decades of manufacturing excellence and market strength, we can expedite the global scale-up of Einride’s autonomous technology,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride.
Green said the collaboration supports Einride’s vehicle-agnostic approach to autonomous driving and moves the company closer to commercial-scale Level 4 deployment.
Level 4 Targets Driverless Freight Operations
SAE Level 4 automation allows a vehicle to perform driving tasks independently under predefined operating conditions without requiring human intervention.
For freight operators, the technology could allow available drivers to concentrate on other logistics activities where human expertise and judgement are required, while autonomous systems handle defined driving operations.
The companies are positioning the project as a response to challenges facing the freight sector, including driver shortages and rising operating costs.
TNO Supports Testing and Approval Process
TNO will contribute expertise during the integration and testing programme. Einride and DAF are also working with type approval authorities to address the requirements for future deployment on public roads.
The work is designed to validate the interfaces between the autonomous driving system and DAF’s vehicle platform before broader functional testing takes place.
“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.
Van den Oetelaar said combining DAF’s truck platform with autonomous technology could contribute to a more efficient and sustainable freight system.
PACCAR Builds on Automated Driving Development
The initiative also builds on automated driving work across DAF parent company PACCAR.
PACCAR has developed experience through its North American Autonomous Vehicle Platform programme and is continuing to work with full-stack autonomous technology providers as the heavy-duty trucking sector develops increasingly software-defined approaches to vehicle automation.
Experience from these programmes could provide additional input for the development of autonomous capabilities on DAF’s truck platform.
DAF Offers Electric Trucks Across Multiple Segments
DAF’s electric portfolio spans different applications, from the 12-tonne XB Electric designed for city distribution to the XG Electric and XG+ Electric for longer-haul operations.
The XG Electric and XG+ Electric share their underlying development with the XD and XF Electric models, which were jointly named International Truck of the Year 2026 for their efficiency, driveline performance and driver comfort.
The Einride collaboration will use DAF’s electric truck technology as the vehicle foundation while Einride develops and validates the autonomous driving integration. The initial technical work is scheduled through 2026, followed by autonomous software integration and further testing in 2027.