Fuso Launches All-Electric eCanter Truck In Australia

Fuso says it is heralding a new age of electric mobility in Australian cities by launching the first OEM all-electric truck available in Australia, the eCanter. With the local rollout, the all-electric light-duty truck is now available in four major regions, following the vehicle’s launch in Japan, Europe and the US.

Developed by Daimler, the eCanter became the world’s first small series electric production truck in 2017. Fuso said the truck was subjected to a rigorous testing regime around the world, including a six-month Australian test running with a maximum load, while global customers have covered more than three million kilometres of real-world driving.

Fuso said six liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries, mounted in the eCanter frame, store 82.8kWh of electricity (with 66kWh 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.

According to Fuso, the eCanter has a range of more than 100km when fully loaded and, using a 50kW rapid charger, can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in an hour or fully charged in 90 minutes, making it suitable for set loops in big cities where the truck’s zero local emissions and near-silent operation would be most appreciated. Fuso said it will consult with customers and advise them on the optimal charging infrastructure for their specific needs.

Fuso Launches All-Electric eCanter Truck In Australia - Charge Port

The eCanter’s cabin is similar to the regular Canter but features a unique instrument cluster that shows vehicle range and how much energy is being regained through regenerative braking when the vehicle slows down. It also features an ISRI suspension driver’s seat unique to the eCanter.

Fuso said given the global popularity of the eCanter, a limited number will be available for customers in Australia during introduction, but availability is expected to increase in time. The vehicle will be supported locally by select Fuso eMobility dealers.

Daimler Truck and Bus President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, said the launch of the eCanter in Australia is a momentous occasion.

“Fuso is launching a truck that emits zero local emissions and operates almost silently,” said Whitehead. “This is a significant milestone for Australian transport and represents a big step towards carbon neutral transportation in this country, which benefits everyone.”

Fuso Truck and Bus Australia Director, Alex Mueller, said the company is excited to be a pioneer in this field and to prove that electric trucks are practical, in the correct application, right now.

“The eCanter is a vital proposition for any company that is serious about reducing emissions,” he said. “[It is] perfect for emission-sensitive 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.”

Fuso Launches All-Electric eCanter Truck In Australia - Melbourne

Australian-delivered eCanters are produced in Tramagal, Portugal, and come with the same standard specifications as the models currently available in Japan and Europe. Like all 4×2 Canters, the eCanter features electronic stability control, hill start, a reversing camera and driver and passenger airbags, in addition to advanced emergency braking and lane departure warning systems as standard.

“By their very nature, electric trucks operate in high-density urban areas, so active safety systems are more important than ever,” added Mueller. “Our customers do not have to choose between safety and electric mobility – they can have both.”

The eCanter will feature on the Daimler stand at the Brisbane Truck Show, which will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 May 2021.