World's first series-produced e-truck

Daimler has globally announced its first all-electric truck which will start shipping to customers in the US, Europe and Japan this year.

The Fuso eCanter is said to be the world’s first series-produced all-electric light-duty truck and has a range of more than 60 miles (97km) and a load capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.

According to Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), part of Daimler Trucks, the vehicle has been developed in response to the public’s need for a “zero-emission, zero-noise truck” for continuously increasing inner-city distribution.

“In times, when everybody is talking about electric trucks, we are the first to actually commercialise a series produced all-electric truck,” said Marc Llistosella, president and CEO of MFTBC and head of Daimler Trucks Asia.

“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.”

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, MFTBC claims it offers savings up to $2,000 per 10,000 miles on operating costs.

MFTBC is planning to deliver 500 units of this generation to customers within the next two years with larger scale production expected to start in 2019.

In coordination with the office of New York attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the company also will 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.

UPS will be the first commercial customer. “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,” added Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance & engineering, UPS.

“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.”

The production plant at Tramagal, Portugal, will assemble all eCanter vehicles for the European and US markets.

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