Test vehicle of the next generation eCanter unveiled for the first time

・Test vehicle of the next generation eCanter unveiled for the first time
・Over 1 million km of driving tests to be completed by official product launch
・The next generation eCanter lineup will be expanded to meet various transportation needs
・MFTBC increases its EV investment in electrification with new EV-focused testing facilities

Kawasaki, Japan –  Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC; headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Karl Deppen), has unveiled test vehicles of its next generation eCanter for the first time at the company’s Kitsuregawa Proving Ground (Sakura City, Tochigi). After launching Japan’s first series-produced all-electric light-duty eCanter truck in 2017, MFTBC introduced an improved model with advanced safety features for the Japanese market in 2020. Currently, the company is proceeding with the development and testing stages of its next generation eCanter, in preparation for its upcoming launch. This mass production model will come with further upgrades in terms of range and safety features, and will be offered with an expanded lineup of variations that meet diverse transportation needs. The truck has being tested under severe conditions in both hot and cold climates, both domestically and abroad. Driving tests surpassing a total distance of over 1 million km will be completed by the official launch.

Since its initial launch in 2017, the eCanter has been supporting the logistics needs of various companies including those in the apparel industry, furniture sales, health care, newspaper distribution, as well as food and entertainment. So far, over 350 vehicles have been introduced in Japan, Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and have collectively covered a distance over 4.5 million km worldwide through daily operations. The eCanter has been contributing to the sustainability goals of businesses worldwide as economies around the globe transition toward CO₂-neutrality.

MFTBC earlier announced plans to electrify all new models for the Japanese market by 2039 and accelerate its shift to CO₂-neutrality. Following this commitment, the organization has increased its investment in EV development infrastructure. Since 2021, MFTBC has been installing high-voltage quick chargers, an EV workshop, as well as battery test benches used to disassemble and analyze lithium-ion batteries at the Kitsuregawa Proving Ground. The newly installed EV workshop is also equipped with a test bench to verify the external power supply functions of the eCanter in the event of a natural disaster. At Kitsuregawa, other existing facilities have also been developed to evaluate high-voltage EV components and verify the driving functions of electric trucks.

“We are proceeding with the development of electrified vehicles and further expanding our EV-dedicated infrastructure,” said Hironobu Ando, Vice President and Head of Product Engineering. “Our ultimate goal is to achieve CO₂-neutrality in our commercial vehicles. Through this ambition, we hope to contribute to the sustainability of not only our customers’ businesses, but also that of society as a whole.”

Test vehicles of next generation eCanter unveiled at the Kitsuregawa Proving Ground

About the “eCanter”

The “eCanter” is the series-produced all-electric truck developed by MFTBC as a solution to urban environmental issues such as noise, exhaust gas and CO₂ emissions. As the “eCanter” is locally emission-free with its electric motor and produces less noise and vibration compared to conventional diesel-powered vehicles, it is particularly suited to inner-city routes as well as operations during late night and early morning hours. The “eCanter”, which falls under the 7.5-ton gross vehicle weight class, ensures a range of about 100 kilometers per charge. The electric drive system carries a motor (maximum output: 135 kW; maximum torque: 390 Nm) and six high-voltage (370 V, 13.5 kWh) lithium-ion battery packs. With quick-charging stations, the vehicle only takes approximately 1.5 hours to fully recharge. Having already launched a new model with advanced safety features in August 2020, MFTBC is currently developing the next generation of the “eCanter” with further upgrades and a wider range of variations.

MFTBC at a Glance

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, with 89.29% of its shares owned by Daimler Truck AG and 10.71% by various Mitsubishi group companies. An icon in the Japanese commercial vehicle industry with a longstanding history of 90 years with its FUSO brand, MFTBC manufactures a range of commercial vehicles including light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses, and industrial engines for over 170 markets worldwide. In 2017, MFTBC introduced the “eCanter”, the first all-electric light-duty truck in series-production and in 2019, the Super Great – Japan’s first heavy-duty truck fitted with Level 2 Automated Driving Support Technology, a benchmark in the Japanese commercial vehicle market. MFTBC operates under the umbrella of Daimler Truck Asia, together with its partner organization Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) in India. This strategic unit allows the entities to collaborate on areas such as product development, parts sourcing and production to provide the best value to customers.