Einride, a technology company driving the shift to cost-efficient autonomous and electric freight, and DAF Trucks, a giant in truck manufacturing, have announced a joint initiative to integrate Einride’s autonomous driving system, Einride Driver, into DAF’s premium vehicle platform. The collaboration marks a significant step toward the large-scale commercialization of SAE Level 4 autonomous electric freight transportation in response to industry challenges such as driver shortages and rising operating costs. Level 4 refers to a high level of driving automation in which the vehicle can independently perform repetitive driving tasks under predefined conditions, without any need for human intervention. In this way, available drivers can focus on activities in logistic operations where their expertise and judgement add the most value. Integration of technology and electric truck platform As a first step, Einride and DAF, together with experts from the Dutch independent research institute for applied science and innovation, TNO, will collaborate on defining and testing the integration of Einride’s autonomous drive system within DAF’s “International Truck of the Year 2026” electric truck platform. This includes establishing the required interfaces to enable safe and scalable autonomous operations. With the assistance of TNO, Einride and DAF are working closely with type approval authorities to ensure the platform is compliant for future expansion onto public roads. Initial tests and validation of key interfaces will be conducted during 2026, followed in 2027 by the integration and commissioning of Einride’s autonomous driving software, with all subsequent interface validation and functional testing performed on a DAF truck. Automated driving strategy This initiative builds on PACCAR’s automated driving activities, where significant experience has already been gained through the North American Autonomous Vehicle Platform (AVP) program. In parallel, PACCAR is advancing developments within the broader autonomous trucking ecosystem in collaboration with emerging full stack technology providers. This reflects