Sustainable Truck of the Year 2023: DAF, Mercedes and Ford are the winners. Watch the awarding event

The awarding ceremony of the Sustainable Truck of the Year 2023, the European event that rewards the most efficient and sustainable trucks and light commercial vehicles, was held on December 22nd. The event was broadcasted on the websites and social media channels of Sustainable Truck&Van and Vado e Torno, the two editorial platforms that assign the awards every year by gathering a jury of experts.

DAF won among the Tractors, Mercedes in the Distribution and Ford in the Van categories

The awards went to DAF XG Plus 480 in the Tractor category; Mercedes-Benz eActros in the Distribution category and to Ford E-Transit in the Van category. The prizes were taken by Paolo A. Starace, CEO of DAF Italy; Maurizio Pompei, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Italy and by Marco Buraglio, Commercial Vehicle Director at Ford Italy. Below, the video of the awarding event:

This year’s awarding ceremony also saw the participation of Raluca Marian, who is Director EU Advocacy and General Delegate of the Permanent Delegation to the EU at IRU, the International Road Transport Union. She talked about how the availability of technologically advanced and more sustainable vehicles may help to face the key issue of drivers’ shortage. «By 2026 there might be about 2 million fewer drivers in Europe. The fact that young people no longer find this profession attractive is among the main causes of such problem. Having less polluting, more digitized and technologically advanced vehicles can definitely help young people approach this job», Mrs Marian said.

To better represent the market, the Sustainable Truck of the Year Award, this year reaching its 7^th edition, is split in three different categories: Tractor (vehicles up to 44 Ton); Distribution (vehicles up to 26 ton, 2 or 3 axles); Van (vehicles up to 3,5 ton). For the evaluation of the vehicles in the competition, 40 technical parameters are taken into consideration, divided into 6 macro areas, such as engine, transmission, safety, comfort, connectivity, and sustainability. This year, for the second time in a row, two out of three vehicles awarded are full electric.

Sustainable Truck of the Year 2023, the winners: DAF XG Plus 480

Unprecedented in terms of approach and shape, the DAF XG Plus 480 takes advantage of the new European Regulation on gauge limits that allows the lengthening of the cab as long as it complies with certain conditions such as safety of the driver and other road users. The truck boasts improved aerodynamic performance, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The DAF XG Plus 480 results from a design focused on efficiency, sustainability, safety and driver comfort. While relying on the experience gained with the XF Series, the project started from a blank sheet. The cab lengthened by 160 mm at the front and 330 mm at the rear, together with a 3-degree sloping windshield and a careful study of airflow, has resulted in improved drag for the benefit of Cx reduced by 19%.

Talking about safety, the glazed area of the windshield increased by 33% and that of the side windows by 15%, together with the innovative line of the Vision dashboard characterized by its elegant slant toward the windshield. The Corner View (in place of the door mirror and proximity mirror), the digital mirror system (cameras with folding arms), but also the Vision Door (the window in the passenger-side door), help to establish new standards in direct vision, raising the bar for safety.

Mercedes-Benz eActros awarded in the Distribution category

The very first electric truck developed by Mercedes-Benz is available in two versions, with of 3 or 4 batteries modules, each with 112 kWh of installed capacity. This means 336 or 448 kWh batteries, which give the eActros a range before recharging of up to 300 and up to 400 km. The truck features an actual technological plus that distinguishes its design as native electric. The vehicle has an electrified rear axle that integrates two motors capable of developing 400 kW peak power and 330 kW continuous power combined with the two-speed transmission.

These solutions, combined with the Actros’ traditional features of robustness, reliability, functionality, ergonomics, and comfort, make the eActros a true leader among e-trucks. Not least, sustainability and a superior level of comfort are ensured in the case also by the absence in the cabin of any reverberation or annoying noise. Finally, the eActros complements, as a tradition in the philosophy and history of the Stuttgart-based manufacturer, a rich equipment of ADAS for the benefit of higher safety standards.

Ford E-Transit won the award among the vans

Ford E-Transit starts from a very solid base, as the Transit has truly been setting the standard of the Blue Oval brand in the commercial vehicle sector, becoming itself an icon and a benchmark. Today, the vehicle robustness, reliability, and versatility coming from an excellently structured range have been transposed by Ford to the electric version of its actual best seller.

Manufactured at the plant located in Kocaeli, Turkey – where, not surprisingly, 100% of the electricity comes from renewable sources – the E-Transit is certainly the flagship of Ford Pro, a global brand dedicated to commercial vehicle customers. Rear-wheel drive, electric motor powered by 68 kWh lithium-ion batteries, Ford E-Transit comes with two power outputs (184 and 269 hp) in three lengths (from 5,531 to 6,707 mm), two roof heights (medium and high) and a total of 25 different versions. In all cases richly equipped, and with a claimed driving range of up to 317 km.