Daimler launches Fuso e-Canter, first all-electric truck in series production

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), part of Daimler Trucks yesterday had the global launch of the Fuso eCanter in New York City.

The Fuso eCanter is the world’s first series-produced all-electric light-duty truck and will be delivered to customers starting this year in the US, Europe and Japan. MFTBC is planning to deliver 500 units of this generation to customers within the next two years. Larger scale production is intended to start in 2019.

Marc Llistosella, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia, said: “In times, when everybody is talking about electric trucks, we are the first to actually commercialise a series produced all-electric truck. Having a long history in alternative drivetrains, we are proud to step into this new era. Our Fuso eCanter comes with years of customer testing, and the assurance of parts, services, and warranty through our global FUSO dealership network.”

“Our new FUSO eCanter now addresses the increasing global demand for products to meet and exceed high CO2 emission standards. It offers an attractive and cost-effective alternative to combustion engines and makes electric trucks key to the future of inner city distribution,” Llistosella added.

Carlton Rose, president, Global Fleet Maintenance & Engineering, UPS, commented: “At UPS, we constantly evaluate and deploy advanced technologies that enable sustainable, innovative solutions for our fleet. Electric trucks make our fleet both cleaner and quieter, adding to our already more than 8,500 alternative drivetrain vehicles in service today. We have a longstanding global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realise the benefits of electric trucks.”

In coordination with the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Fuso also will supply a fleet of local zero‑e mission FUSO eCanter trucks to well-known New York based not-for-profits, including: Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity New York City, and Big Reuse Brooklyn.

There are two options to charge the Fuso eCanter: Regular AC-charging or DC-quick charging which reduces the battery charging time to around one hour.

100km range, savings of 1,000 euros per 10,000km
The Fuso eCanter has a range of 100 kilometres and a load capacity up to three and a half tons – depending on body and usage. The vehicle´s electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8 kWh each. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, it offers savings up to 1,000 euro per 10,000 kilometres on operating costs.

The global launch of the new Fuso eCanter has been many years in the making. At the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, Fuso had presented a first prototype of an electrically powered Canter E-Cell, leading into a pre-series production for testing purposes in 2014. The Fuso eCanter has seen extensive customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany with the pre-series vehicles between 2014 and 2017.

In May of 2017, MFTBC announced its first commercial customer for the new in-line series production vehicle in the Japanese market. Seven-Eleven Co., Ltd. will be operating 25 units of the eCanter in their fleet.

The Fuso eCanter will be fully integrated in the production line for the conventional combustion Fuso Canter truck. This past July, MFTBC celebrated the start of production of eCanter in Tramagal, Portugal. The production plant will assemble all eCanter vehicles for the European and U.S. markets.