Marks & Spencer and its transport subsidiary, Gist Ltd., have commenced the roll-out of ten new DAF XD Electric tractor units, marking a significant next step in the retailer’s transition from electric truck trials to scaled zero tailpipe emission operations. Five vehicles are already in active service, with a further five due to enter service in 2026.

Five of the ten vehicles are supported through the eFREIGHT 2030 project, part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. One of these tractor units is fitted with an integrated inverter that draws power from the vehicle’s main DC battery and converts it into AC electricity. This enables the trailer’s refrigeration unit to be powered directly from the truck. This marks the first deployment of such inverter technology on a DAF truck in the UK. By enabling refrigeration to run on electricity rather than diesel, this innovation represents a significant step forward in the transition towards fully electrified transport operations.

The ten vehicles are being deployed across two core logistics operations, with five units allocated to Fashion, Home and Beauty distribution and five assigned to Retail Food movements. Both duty cycles are well suited to electrification, combining predictable routing with demanding real-world payloads and utilisation levels.

The XD Electric tractors are equipped with a five-battery pack sporting 525 kWh of energy storage and delivering 462 kWh of usable capacity. In real-world operation, the vehicle currently in service is consistently achieving up to 300 miles on a single charge, with planned daily ranges expected to sit between 250 and 300 miles depending on route profile, load weight and operating conditions.

Vehicles are expected to operate at gross weights between 32- and 42-tonnes, covering both lighter regional distribution and heavier retail food operations. Depending on location and duty cycle, the trucks will run on both single- and double-shift patterns, supporting annual mileages of approximately 100,000 kilometres per vehicle.

Routes will primarily focus on short- to medium-distance trunking and distribution work, enabling charging to be planned efficiently around depot operations.

Driver response to the new electric tractor has been highly positive. Drivers operating an in-service vehicle report strong approval of the XD Electric’s driveability, cab comfort, low noise levels and smooth power delivery, reinforcing confidence in wider fleet deployment.

The rollout builds on the proven success of M&S’s earlier DAF LF Electric deployment, which completed a 24-month proof-in-service programme on intensive, temperature-controlled multi-drop operations. That programme demonstrated that electric trucks could meet demanding operational requirements, providing the confidence to move beyond pilot use and into scaled deployment.

M&S Group Fleet Manager, Mick Pethard, said, “The LF Electric gave us the confidence that electric trucks can perform reliably in demanding retail operations. We're not just trialling electric anymore – with the XD Electric, we're scaling-up. The real-world range we’re seeing, combined with strong driver acceptance, means electric tractor units are becoming a practical solution for mainstream logistics.”

The addition of the DAF XD Electric tractors underlines M&S’s intent to broaden its zero-tailpipe emission capability across its distribution network, signalling a move beyond demonstration projects towards fully integrated electric operations.