Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus, a division of Daimler Trucks, launched the FUSO eCanter in New York City. UPS took delivery of the first eCanter trucks as part of a global rollout of the electrified version of the most popular mid-size box truck in the world. The eCanter is the world’s first series-produced, all-electric light-duty truck. It will be sold in the United States, Japan, and Europe this year and will spread to other markets thereafter.
Mitsubishi will deliver 500 units of the eCanter to customers over the next two years, with agreements already signed to purchase or lease most of those. Production began in July of this year and will become full scale in 2019 for higher production expectations.
UPS has taken delivery of three of the FUSO eCanter trucks and several more are slated for delivery to non-profits in and around New York City courtesy of the New York Attorney General’s office. Those charities include the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Botanital Garden, Habitat for Humanity New York City, and Big Reuse Brooklyn.
The FUSO eCanter underwent consumer-level testing in Europe, after prototypes were introduced in 2010 and 2014. It has a load capacity of about three and a half tons, six 13.8 kWh batteries on board, and a driving range (fully loaded) of about 100 kilometers per charge (62 miles).
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.