Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC; headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO Hartmut Schick) is pleased to announce the market introduction of the eCanter in Australia. A launch event was held on March 31st, 2021 in Melbourne to showcase the pioneering all-electric light-duty truck. With this rollout, the eCanter will soon be running in customer hands in four major regions around the globe.
The eCanter for Australia is shipped from Tramagal, Portugal, and comes with the same standard specifications as the models currently available in Japan and Europe. In order to support safe driving in city environments, the vehicle is installed with safety features such as the Advanced Emergency Braking System, the Lane Departure Warning System, as well as the Electronic Stability Program. The vehicle was also tested rigorously through a six-month local trial, during which it was operated with a maximum load.
The first batch of deliveries to Australian customers is expected to take place within the next several months. Customers scheduled to receive the eCanter will be supported by select FUSO dealers, where they can also be advised on optimal charging infrastructure and charging patterns. MFTBC is seeing high interest among leading businesses and local government bodies who are committed to reducing emissions and noise pollution. Improved availability of quick-charging facilities, which will further aid the take-up of battery-electric commercial vehicles, is expected in the coming years. In February 2021, the national government opened the first round of its Future Fuels Fund, budgeting 16.5 million AUD to support BEV fast-charging infrastructure projects.
The eCanter has also recently made its first foray into two additional European markets. In March 2021, Aquaservice, a distributor of natural mineral water and dispensers, became the first company in Spain to incorporate the electric truck into its fleet. The eCanter is now running in Valencia on customer delivery routes. Aquaservice is seeking to integrate more electric trucks like the eCanter into its business, as it shifts toward its goal of achieving carbon neutrality within the decade.
In February 2021, three eCanter trucks were handed over to Camion Transport AG, one of Switzerland’s leading transport companies. The vehicles are currently operating in Basel, Lucerne, and Geneva, providing quiet and emission-free deliveries during a time when demand for last-mile solutions is at a record high. With the eCanter joining the Camion Transport fleet, the company is taking another step toward its vision of sustainable city logistics.
These recent market introductions of the eCanter bring shape to MFTBC’s commitment as a commercial vehicles manufacturer to reducing CO2 emissions worldwide. Since its world premiere in 2017, over 200 units of the eCanter have been delivered to customers. The vehicle has been highly evaluated by drivers and business owners alike, as particularly suited to delivery routes in urban centers, where noise and emissions are significant concerns. As a leading presence among electric trucks, the eCanter is well-positioned to contribute to the de-carbonization of communities around the world.
SOURCE: FUSO
