Fuso, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has started production of its Next Generation eCanter in Europe. 

According to the truckmaker, the all-electric light truck boasts a longer range, greater efficiency, and various applications while remaining CO2-neutral in driving operations. 

“The MFTE team is proud to build the iconic Fuso Canter here at Tramagal in its fifth generation! Thank you to the highly dedicated team who managed the ramp-up of the Next Generation eCanter with flying colors!” said Arne Barden, CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Europe.

Building a More Sustainable Future of Global Light Trucks

The eCanter was showcased at the Mitsubishi Fuso Europe production plant in Tramagal, Portugal, where the first vehicle from European production rolled off the assembly line. 

The CEO of Daimler Truck Asia, Karl Deppen, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable transport and making only CO2-neutral vehicles available in its core global markets by 2039. 

In the run-up to the event, media representatives had the opportunity to experience the new vehicles firsthand during a factory tour and an exclusive driving event on the Autódromo do Estoril and the surrounding public roads to experience the performance of the Next Generation eCanter for themselves. 

The Next Generation eCanter will initially be sold in 17 European markets and features several adjustments to meet customer needs, including a choice of six wheelbases and a permissible gross vehicle weight of 4.25 to 8.55 tons. 

Depending on the variant, the vehicle is powered by either a 110 kW or 129 kW electric motor, and three different battery packs are available. The MFTE plant in Tramagal is also taking significant steps towards sustainability, including reducing CO2 emissions and water consumption and testing technologies for the local production of green hydrogen.

Production of the all-electric light truck started in the first quarter of 2023 at the sister plant in Kawasaki, Japan. Kawasaki delivers the Fuso Next Generation eCanter in Japan and in all other non-European markets worldwide. 

In Europe, sales of the Fuso Next Generation eCanter will initially start in 17 markets (France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Greece, and Poland).

Three Power Options for the Global Electric Truck 

The eCanter will also offer three battery packs, depending on the wheelbase: S, M, and L. The batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology. 

• The battery pack in the S variant has a nominal capacity of 41 kWh and enables a range of up to 70 kilometers. 

• The M variant’s nominal capacity is 83 kWh, and the range is up to 140 kilometers. 

• As the most powerful package, the L variant offers a nominal capacity of 124 kWh and a range of up to 200 kilometers. This is far more than the distance usually covered daily in light distribution traffic. 

Recuperation can increase the range even further, which at the same time minimizes charging breaks. By comparison: Until now, the eCanter has only had a battery option with a nominal capacity of 81kWh and a range of up to 100 kilometers.