Fuso Truck has announced the global launch of what it claims is the first series production all electric truck at a launch in New York City late last week.
The Fuso eCanter is claimed to be 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 with the Japanese arm of Daimler trucks planning to deliver 500 units of this generation to customers within the next two years. Larger scale production is planned to start in 2019.\
President and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia Marc Llistosella, said that in times, when everybody is talking about electric trucks, Fuso is 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 and our Fuso eCanter comes with years of customer testing, and the assurance of parts, services, and warranty through our global Fuso dealership network,” said Llistosella
“Our new Fuso eCanter 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.
At the global launch, Fuso also announced the first U.S. commercial partner for the eCanter in the shape of major parcel and logistics operator, UPS, which will use the zero-emission trucks with an eye to moving as fleet toward being more sustainable.
Carlton Rose, UPS’ President of global fleet maintenance and engineering said the company is constantly evaluating and deploying 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 long- standing global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realise the benefits of electric trucks,” said Rose.
Fuso also will also supply a fleet of local zero emission 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.
To celebrate the launch, Fuso set up a temporary installation in New York City’s East Village called “Energy Station of the Future”. The event was aimed at creating a backdrop for Fuso’s vision of how using the zero-emission, zero-noise eCanter will help transform New York City, and other urban areas, into cleaner and quieter places for everyday deliveries.
The all-electric light-duty truck is Fuso’s answer to the public’s need for a zero-emission, zero-noise truck for continuously increasing inner-city distribution. In addition to being an eco-friendly vehicle, it is cost-efficient and economical for users, as already proved within customer tests in Europe. The Fuso eCanter has a range of 100 kms and a load capacity up to 3.5 tons – depending on body and usage. The vehicle’s electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420volts and 13.8 kWh each. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, Fuso claims it offers savings up to the equivalent oif around $AUD1500 per 10,000km on operating costs.
The global launch of the new Fuso eCanter is not just a product launch – it’s a revolution several years in the making: At the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, FUSO 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 benefits from extensive experience of customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany with the pre- series vehicles between 2014 and 2017.
After years of research and intensive customer testing, the eCanter will be fully integrated in the production line for the conventional intertnal combustion Fuso Canter truck. Fuso marked the start of production of eCanter in July this year in Tramagal, Portugal. The production plant will assemble all eCanter vehicles for the European and U.S. markets. The Portuguese government has been continuously supporting the development of the eCanter since the early stages in 2010 until today, and for the future to come.
