Daimler Trucks - world's largest truck manufacturer - launches first all-electric truck in series production - the FUSO eCanter

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

• UPS first commercial customer in the US announced at global launch event in New York City
• Electric trucks provided to four prominent non-profits in cooperation with the New York Attorney General
• Fully electric FUSO eCanter will reduce noise-levels caused by inner-city distribution and help megacities like NYC reach their climate goals
• Marc Llistosella, Head of Daimler Trucks Asia: "In times, when everybody is talking about electric trucks, we are the first to actually commercialize a series produced all-electric truck. Having a long history in alternative drivetrains, we are proud to step into this new era. Our FUSO eCanter comes with years of customer testing, and the assurance of parts, services, and warranty through our global FUSO dealership network."
• Watch the reveal here from 10:00am: http://streams.merchantcantos.com/eCanterGlobalReveal

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), part of Daimler Trucks - the global market leader with truck brands like Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz and FUSO - today celebrated the global launch of the FUSO eCanter in New York City. The FUSO eCanter is the world's first series-produced all-electric light-duty truck and will be delivered to customers starting this year in the US, Europe and Japan. MFTBC is planning to deliver 500 units of this generation to customers within the next two years. Larger scale production is intended to start in 2019.

Marc Llistosella, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia: "In times, when everybody is talking about electric trucks, we are the first to actually commercialize a series produced all-electric truck. Having a long history in alternative drivetrains, we are proud to step into this new era. Our FUSO eCanter comes with years of customer testing, and the assurance of parts, services, and warranty through our global FUSO dealership network." 

"Our new FUSO eCanter now addresses the increasing global demand for products to meet and exceed high CO2 emission standards. It offers an attractive and cost-effective alternative to combustion engines and makes electric trucks key to the future of inner city distribution", Llistosella added.

First all-electric trucks provided to UPS and four New York City based non-profits

At the global launch, FUSO today also announced the company's first U.S. commercial partner for the eCanter: UPS will use the zero-emission trucks with an eye to moving their fleet toward being more sustainable.

Carlton Rose, President, Global Fleet Maintenance & Engineering, UPS: "At UPS, we constantly evaluate and deploy advanced technologies that enable sustainable, innovative solutions for our fleet. Electric trucks make our fleet both cleaner and quieter, adding to our already more than 8,500 alternative drivetrain vehicles in service today. We have a long-standing global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realize the benefits of electric trucks."

In coordination with the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, FUSO also will supply a fleet of local zero‑emission FUSO eCanter trucks to well-known New York based not-for-profits, including: Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity New York City, and Big Reuse Brooklyn.

To celebrate the launch, FUSO set up a temporary installation in New York City's East Village called "Energy Station of the Future". The event was the perfect backdrop for FUSO's vision of how using the zero-emission, zero-noise eCanter will help transform New York City, and other urban areas, into cleaner and quieter places for everyday deliveries.

FUSO eCanter environmentally friendly and economical for users

The all-electric light-duty truck is MFTBC's answer to the public's need for a zero-emission, zero-noise truck for continuously increasing inner-city distribution. In addition to being an eco-friendly vehicle, it is cost-efficient and economical for users, as already proved within customer tests in Europe. The FUSO eCanter has a range of more than 60 miles and a load capacity up to three and a half tons – depending on body and usage. The vehicle's electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8 kWh each. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, it offers savings up to 2,000 Dollar per 10,000 miles on operating costs¹.

Result of intensive research and customer testing

The global launch of the new FUSO eCanter is not just a product launch – it's a revolution several years in the making: At the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, FUSO presented a first prototype of an electrically powered Canter E-Cell, leading into a pre-series production for testing purposes in 2014. The FUSO eCanter benefits from extensive experience of customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany with the pre-series vehicles between 2014 and 2017.

In May of 2017, MFTBC announced its first commercial customer for the new in-line series production vehicle in the Japanese market. Seven-Eleven Co., Ltd. will be operating 25 units of the eCanter in their fleet. After unveiling the first charging station in Japan and kicking off production at the OEM's factory in Portugal, today's global launch event underlines the commitment of both FUSO and New York State to developing & embracing sustainable and reliable transportation solutions to benefit society and the planet.

Marketing the eCanter and establishing electric trucks, FUSO will also benefit from the Daimler knowledge pool of partner companies, like Mercedes-Benz Energy – a provider of local power storage, ChargePoint – a provider of charging station networks, and as just announced today: an invest in StoreDot – a company that develops ultra-quick charging battery technology.

1 Based on the average European diesel price.

FUSO eCanter first all-electric truck in series production

After years of research and intensive customer testing, the FUSO eCanter will be fully integrated in the production line for the conventional combustion Fuso Canter truck. This past July, MFTBC celebrated the start of production of eCanter in Tramagal, Portugal. The production plant will assemble all eCanter vehicles for the European and U.S. markets. The Portuguese government has been continuously supporting the development of the eCanter since the early stages in 2010 until today, and for the future to come.

The photo with the index number 17C731_01 and further content are available online at: www.d.ai/ecanter and www.media.daimler.com

Caption 17C731_01:

The FUSO eCanter – the first all-electric truck in series production celebrates its global launch in New York City

Further information from Daimler is available at: www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com

Daimler at a Glance
Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance, financial investments, credit cards, and innovative mobility services.The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, it is a motivation and commitment of Daimler to shape safely and sustainably the future of mobility: The Group's focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal and fascinate. Daimler consequently invests in the development of efficient drive trains with the long-term goal of locally emission-free driving: from hightech combustion engines about hybrid vehicles to electric drive trains powered by battery or fuel cell. Furthermore, the company follows a consistent path towards intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world's most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz (Source: Interbrand-Study „The Anatomy of Growth", 10/5/2016), as well as Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me, the brands smart, EQ, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses, and Daimler Financial Services' brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Daimler Truck Financial, moovel, car2go and mytaxi. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2016, the Group sold around 3 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 282,000 people; revenue totalled €153.3 billion and EBIT amounted to €12.9 billion.

SOURCE Daimler North America - Corporate Communications

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