Lawsons Group has become the first builders merchant in the UK to fully purchase DAF electric trucks.

The investment will see two DAF XD Electric trucks join Lawsons’ fleet, following the introduction of seven Ford E-Transit dropside trucks operating across Greater London.

The new trucks have been developed through a collaboration between Lawsons Group, Ford & Slater DAF and commercial vehicle bodybuilder Massey Truck Engineering, with each vehicle configured specifically for builders merchant deliveries.

Dan Hearne, Head of Transport at Lawsons Group, said the new trucks represented an important step in the company’s sustainability strategy, particularly given the number of deliveries it makes in urban areas.

“I’m really excited to introduce these new additions to our fleet – the first electric merchant lorries from DAF in the country and the first electric trucks in the Lawsons fleet,” he said.

The DAF XD Electric trucks feature several modifications designed for merchant operations, including a 10-tonne front axle and an on-board crane powered directly by the vehicle’s battery. The crane also uses a power-on-demand system to help reduce energy consumption during deliveries.

Lawsons has configured the two vehicles for different operating requirements. One is designed for longer regional routes, while the second has been optimised for Central London deliveries.

The London-focused truck features a smaller battery to maximise payload, alongside a shorter wheelbase to improve manoeuvrability on busy urban roads.

The investment forms part of Lawsons Group’s wider efforts to introduce practical technologies that can reduce emissions without compromising the payload, flexibility and performance required to serve its customers.

The company already operates 45 electric forklifts, with further additions planned, while the majority of its company car fleet has also moved to electric.

For Lawsons, the introduction of the DAF XD Electric trucks represents another significant step towards a more sustainable merchant fleet, while demonstrating how electric technology can be adapted to meet the demands of day-to-day builders merchant operations.