Daimler Truck subsidiary Fuso has announced the start of production of its new eCanter electric light truck.
The inaugural model launched in 2017 and now has more than 550 units in customer operation in Europe, Japan and the United States, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.
The second-generation truck, revealed at the IAA show in September 2022, builds on this with more power, longer range and a much wider line-up.
It’s built at the Fuso plant in Tramagal, Portugal, which has been building the diesel-powered Canter since 1980.
The first-generation eCanter was solely available as a 7.49-tonner with a wheelbase of 3,400mm. The new model is offered with a choice of six wheelbases between 2,500 and 4,750mm and a gross vehicle weight of 4.25 to 8.55 tonnes. Load capacity is up to five tonnes.
It’s powered by either a 150hp or 175hp motor, depending on GVW, and with an electronically limited top speed of 89km/h (55mph).
Depending on the wheelbase, three different battery packs are available: S, M and L. These use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology. The S variant has one battery, with a 41kWh capacity and giving an official range of up to 70km (44 miles) while the M features two batteries, delivering 83kWh and up to 140km (87 miles). The most powerful L package features three batteries, giving 124kWh and up to 200km (124 miles).
The current eCanter has only one battery option with 81kWh and up to 100km (62 miles) of range.
The charging unit supports both AC and DC. DC charging can be carried at up to 104kW giving a 20-80% charge in around 24 (S), 26 (M) and 39 minutes (L), depending on the battery pack. AC charging (11 and 22 kW) takes between around four and six hours, depending on the battery pack.
In Europe, sales of the new eCanter will initially start in 17 markets, including the UK.
Production of the all-electric light truck already started in the first quarter at the sister plant in Kawasaki, Japan, which delivers the eCanter in Japan as well as other non-European markets worldwide.
