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Trucks, a division of Daimler Trucks – the global market leader with truck brands like Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz and FUSO – has celebrated 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. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) said it will deliver 500 units of this new truck to customers within the next two years with larger scale production scheduled 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.
UPS and four New York City-based NGOs are first commercial customers
At the global launch of the truck, FUSO also announced the company’s first U.S. commercial partner for the eCanter: UPS will use the zero-emission trucks with an eye to moving their fleet toward being more sustainable.
Carlton Rose, President, Global Fleet Maintenance & Engineering, UPS, said: “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 long-standing global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realize 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-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 the perfect 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.
FUSO eCanter environmentally-friendly and economical for users
The all-electric light-duty truck is MFTBC’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 by customer tests in Europe. The FUSO eCanter has a range of 100 kilometers 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 kilometers on operating costs.
Result of intensive research and customer testing
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.
In May 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.
After unveiling the first charging station in Japan and kicking off production at the OEM’s factory in Portugal, today’s global launch event underlines the commitment of both FUSO and New York State to developing & embracing sustainable and reliable transportation solutions to benefit society and the planet.
Marketing the eCanter and establishing electric trucks, FUSO will also benefit from the Daimler knowledge pool of partner companies, like Mercedes-Benz Energy – a provider of local power storage, ChargePoint – a provider of charging station networks, and as just announced today: an invest in StoreDot – a company that develops ultra-quick charging battery technology.
FUSO eCanter is first all-electric truck in series production
After years of research and intensive customer testing, the FUSO eCanter will be fully integrated into 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. 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.
