Fuso eCanter: Production begins of world’s first series all-electric LCV in Europe

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has begun production of the world’s first all‑electric light-duty truck – the Fuso eCanter. Fuso is a brand of Daimler Trucks Asia. The event was held on July 27 at the production plant in Tramagal, Portugal, where all eCanter for the European and U.S. markets will be produced in line with the conventional Fuso Canter truck.

The Fuso eCanter is produced in line with the conventional Canter light-duty truck at the Tramagal plant. Only the electric-powertrain specific components will be installed in specific boxes along the production line. The vehicles coming from Tramagal, Portugal will be handed over to customers within Europe and the US within the next month.

Marc Llistosella, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia, said: “With the start of production of the eCanter, we become the first global manufacturer to produce an all-electric truck in series. From now on we can address the growing demand for locally emission free delivery trucks in mega-cities. We already received the first customer orders and will mark the global launch of this truck in one of the most iconic mega-cities, in New York, this September. Our Portuguese plant does not only produce the trucks for Europe and the US, we also benefit from a close cooperation with the authorities in Portugal and Lisbon testing the trucks there since 2014.”

In May, MFTBC already announced its first commercial customer in the Japanese market: Seven-Eleven Co., Ltd. will be operating 25 units of the new eCanter in their fleet within this year.

eCanter at a glance
In addition to being an environment-friendly vehicle, the e-Canter is also cost‑efficient and economical for users. The eCanter has a range of 100 kilometres and a load capacity of two to three 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.

The battery packs are being delivered from the 100 percent Daimler subsidiary Accumotive in Kamenz, Germany.

The Fuso eCanter benefits from extensive experience of customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany with the pre-series between 2014 and 2017. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, it offers savings up to 1,000 euros per 10,000 kilometres on operating costs.