Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. (FUSO) has announced that, as part of its move to "offer the broadest line-up of Class 3–5 medium-duty trucks in the North American market," it will be bring two new trucks to the inaugural NACV Show, to join its line of traditional diesel cabovers.
FUSO launched its new eCanter all-electric medium-duty cabover, as well as introduced its gasoline-fueled FE Series trucks at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, September 25–28, 2017. The trucks will be on display in the Daimler Trucks North America booth, No. 1612 and 1612.1
eCanter at a glance
While FUSO’s parent company, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) hosted the global launch of the FUSO eCanter in New York City on September 14, the NACV Show marks the first time that fleet and vocational truck buyers will have a chance to see the world’s first series produced, all-electric Class 4 work truck.
The first production models will be delivered to customers starting this year in the US, Europe and Japan, and 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.
The FUSO eCanter gives fleets a zero-local-emission, zero-noise truck option for inner-city distribution, helping to resolve increasing noise and pollution problems in urban environments. In addition to being an eco-friendly vehicle, the eCanter is cost-efficient and economical for users.
The FUSO eCanter offers a GVWR of 15,995 lb., has a range of more than 60 miles and a body/payload capacity of approximately 9,380 lb., depending on body and usage. The vehicle’s electric powertrain contains six 420V Mercedes-Benz lithium-ion battery packs with a total capacity of 82.8 kWh. Compared to an equivalent diesel truck, it offers operating cost savings up to $2,000 per 10,000 miles of operation.
According to Jecka Glasman, FUSO’s president and CEO, “We are very proud to be the frontrunner in this market, bringing the first series-produced electric trucks to North American streets. Our parent company, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), has a long history in alternative drivetrains, and the eCanter marks a new era of not just prototyping but actually producing 100% plug-in electric trucks in series on the same line as the combustion vehicles.”
The FUSO eCanter benefits from the extensive experience FUSO engineers gained through customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany between 2014 and 2017.
First all-electric trucks provided to UPS and four New York City based non-profits
At the global launch, FUSO 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-forprofits, including: the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity New York City, and Big Reuse Brooklyn.
FUSO FE gas truck at a glance
The addition of the gas-fueled powertrain to the FUSO FE Series also reflects a significant expansion of FUSO’s commercial-truck product line, the company says.
“We are very excited to be able to offer our customers the alternative of new gasoline-powered models across our entire FE Series," FUSO's Glasman said. "We have partnered with PSI, General Motors Powertrain and Allison to provide what we believe will be the most competitive gas-powered medium-duty cabovers in the market. Initially, we will offer gas versions of the FE140 and FE160, but we’re also finishing development now of the FE180, which will be the only gas-powered Class 5 cabover truck in North America.”
All three FUSO models, the FE140, FE160 and FE180, will be powered by a PSI-GMPT Vortec Series 6.0L V8, coupled to a best-in-class Allison 1000 6-speed automatic transmission—making these the only gas trucks in their class to offer PTO capability.
“FUSO has put together this exclusive engine/transmission package to provide unmatched power and versatility for our customers,” Glasman said. "The Class 5 FE180 will offer the largest body/payload capacity available in a gaspowered medium-duty truck—11,945 lbs.”
The new V8 gas engine models will also be the first FUSO vehicles to be assembled in the United States. Daimler’s Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation will perform the work at its Gaffney, SC, plant, using engines and transmissions built in the U.S., and chassis, cabs and axles sourced from FUSO in Europe and Japan.
Operators can take advantage of its best-in-class payload capacity when operating this larger truck. Customer trials for a limited number of the new FE Series gas trucks are scheduled to start in 4Q2017, with full market launch to follow in 1Q2018, as 2019 model year.
For more information, stop by NACV booth No. 1612, or visit www.mitfuso.com.
