Automotive manufacturer Daimler Trucks has launched their first series-produced electric truck in Australia, the eCanter.

The eCanter is manufactured by Daimler’s subsidiary, Fuso, in Portugal, and is already on sale in Europe, Japan and the United States of America. This roll-out will mark the fourth major region the eCanter will be running in customer’s hands.

Australians can expect the first batch of deliveries in the next several months.

Powered by six high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8kWh each, and a total of 66-kilowatt hours of usable power, the vehicle has a range of 100 kilometres and a max speed of 80 kilometres per hour.

According to the company, these batteries can be recharged to 80 per cent in an hour, and to full capacity in 90 minutes when using a 50-kilowatt rapid charger.

The vehicle is also installed with safety features including an advanced emergency braking system, a lane departure warning system, as well an electronic stability program.

“The eCanter 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,” said Fuso Truck and Bus Australia Director, Alex Muller.

“It is a serious truck with a payload of more than four tonnes and it gets the job done day and night.”

While only a limited number of trucks will be available in Australia, the company has advised the availability is “expected to increase in time” as improved availability of quick-charging facility further aid the uptake of battery-electric commercial vehicles.

Sources:

The Driven | Daimler brings light-duty eCanter electric truck to Australia

Daimler | G’Day Australia! Daimler Trucks’ battery-electric FUSO eCanter launched down under

10 April 2021