Owner/Driver #339

Fuso launches eCanter in Australia
IN A TIMELY MOVE before the 2021
Brisbane Truck Show, Daimler Truck
and Bus has announced the Australian
launch of the all-electric Fuso eCanter.
The eCanter, which is the available
now, is reportedly the first original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) allelectric
truck available in Australia
and will be supported by select Fuso
eMobility dealers.
In 2017, the eCanter became the
world’s first small series electric
production truck. Fuso says it has been
the subject of a rigorous testing regime
around the world, including a sixmonth
Australian test running with a
maximum load, while global customers
have covered more than three million
kilometres of real world driving.
Fuso Truck and Bus Australia director,
Alex Müller, says he is excited to be
able to offer the eCanter to Australian
customers.
“The eCanter is perfect for emissionsensitive
areas in our big cities, where
many pedestrians and residents stand to
benefit, but it is not just a concept truck
or environmental tribute.
“It is a serious truck with a payload of
more than four tonnes and it gets the
job done day and night.”
Müller says the eCanter is proving
that all-electric local transportation
makes sense; not just for the community
and for the environment, but also for
business.
“We are excited to be pioneers in this
field and to prove that electric trucks are
practical in the correct application right
now,” he says.
“The eCanter is a vital proposition
for any company that is serious about
reducing emissions.”
Of particular interest for freight
companies and government bodies
is that the eCanter comes equipped
with active safety features such as the
advanced emergency braking system
and the lane departure warning system.
Müller says eCanter customers can rest
assured the truck is fitted with advanced
pedestrian-sensing camera emergency
braking technology, just like the regular
Canter 4x2 range.
“By their very nature, electric trucks
operate in high-density urban areas, so
active safety systems are more important
than ever,” he says.
“Our customers do not have to choose
between safety and electric mobility, they
can have both,” Müller adds.
The eCanter is said to have a range of
more than 100km when fully loaded,
and can be recharged to 80 per cent
capacity in an hour using a 50kW rapid
charger or fully charged in 90 minutes.
Daimler Trucks states that the eCanter
is part of its commitment to help
customers reduce emissions in Australia
with its Fuso, Freightliner and Mercedes-
Benz brands.
Moreover, Daimler Trucks is aiming to
have all new vehicles in Europe, North
America and Japan “tank-to-wheel” CO2-
neutral by 2039.
“Our leading customers in Australia
want reduced emissions and advanced
safety and Daimler Truck and Bus
is committed to lead the market in
delivering both,” Whitehead says.
Six liquid-cooled lithium ion
batteries mounted in the eCanter
frame store 82.8kW/h of electricity
(with 66kW/h of usable power) and
feed a permanent magnet synchronous
motor. Power output is rated at 135kW
and 390Nm of torque can be delivered
the moment the accelerator pedal is
pressed.
The eCanter will feature on the
Daimler stand at the Brisbane Truck
Show, which runs from May 13 to 16.
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APRIL 2021 83