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Electric Fuso eCanter truck for Australia

Japanese truck and bus company Fuso is set to offer an all-electric truck, called the eCanter, in Australia. The zero-emissions light truck, which is designed for inner-city operations, is due to go on sale in February 2021.

Drive for the 4×2 truck is provided by an electric motor that produces 135kW and 390Nm, which is reputed to grant a 0-60km/h time of just over seven seconds. Power is provided by a 82.8kWh lithium-ion battery assembly, which grants a range of up to 150km – although reports indicate a real-world range of around 100-120km. 

Charging takes approximately two hours using a CHAdeMO 50kW DC charger, or eight hours using 230V single-phase mains AC. Fuso also states that the truck has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7500kg and a nominal payload of around 4000kg. 

For comparison, a standard diesel Canter has a payload of 4495kg – so, range and charging limitations aside, the eCanter should prove a viable option for operators in terms of load capabilities. 

Der FUSO eCanter auf Weiheke Island, Neuseeland The FUSO eCanter on Weiheke Island, New Zealand

Reliability shouldn’t prove a concern, either; Fuso, which is part of the Daimler Truck and Bus Group, launched the eCanter in 2017. The trucks have since been operating in Europe, America and Japan and have racked up in excess of one million kilometres. 

“The best light truck fleets in Australia have told us that safety and emissions reduction are absolutely critical for them,” said Daniel Whitehead, CEO and president of Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific. “We introduced Advanced Emergency Braking to the light truck class in Australia with Canter last year and now we will be first with a fully integrated manufacturer-developed electric truck.”

“These trucks are performing essential services around the clock in rain, hail and shine, day in, day out, so it is critical customers have confidence that they continue to perform as promised.”

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