Video: Next generation Fuso eCanter unveiled

Mitsubishi Fuso has unveiled in a world premier the next generation all-electric eCanter featuring an expanded lineup of applications plus a new modular battery concept offering different driving ranges. 

The company presented the latest model of the truck in a September 7 livestream from the company’s headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan. 

It follows five years of operational experience in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand since its launch in 2017 as the first series-produced all-electric light-duty truck. 

Sales of the next generation eCanter are scheduled in early 2023 in Japan with launch dates in additional overseas markets in the coming years, the company says. 

Locally in NZ and Australia, a Fuso spokesperson says it’s too early to say when the latest models might arrive here. 

“Whatever the timing, we will undertake a local validation program in our unique conditions to ensure a seamless introduction,” a spokesperson says. 

Speaking at the launch event, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation president and chief executive Karl Deppen says the company is committed to electrification and e-mobility. 

“As one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufactures, we can make a real difference. That is why we are so committed to supporting the transition to sustainable mobility.

“We made a good start five years ago. Today, hundreds of eCanters are serving customers in Japan, the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Together they have covered more than six million kilometres,” he says. 

Deppen says a lot of customer feedback has been gained since the launch of the original eCanter and this has gone into making improvements in the latest model. 

The need for more versatility and more applications was a major point of customer feedback, he adds. 

Chassis lineup 

The next generation eCanter will feature 28 variants for the Japanese market and over 80 variants for overseas markets to address a wider range of logistics needs.

This is made possible through new ‘eAxle’ engineering which integrates the motor with the rear axle, allowing for a more compact drivetrain structure, the company says. 

In addition to the current 7.5 tonne (GVW) model, the new vehicle comes in weight classes ranging from five tonne to eight tonne for Japanese customers, and starts from the four tonne class for overseas models.

The cab variation has also been expanded offering a wide cab (2,130mm) that can accommodate more cargo, in addition to the standard cab width (1,700mm) that brings more flexibility to routes covering narrow roads. The variety of wheelbases has also been expanded, from 2,500mm up to 4,750mm. 

Extended range 

The next generation model will feature a new modular concept for the batteries. The vehicle can house one to three batteries, based on the wheelbase. The vehicles equipped with a single battery with a rated capacity of 41kWh can drive around 80km on one charge, while those with two batteries can be driven for around 140km, and those with three batteries around 200km, the company says. 

In addition, Japanese customers have access to a V2X function that enables the eCanter’s batteries to supply power to homes and other equipment in the event of an emergency. 

Power take-off unit

The new model is also equipped with the ‘ePTO’ power take-off unit which enables special purpose applications to operate the eCanter with a tipper, rear crane, or climate-controlled van body, among other various options. 

Enhanced EV functions

The next generation eCanter also comes with enhanced EV-specific functions. Regenerative braking can be controlled at four levels, contributing to power savings and enhanced drivability, the company says.

Additionally, battery pre-conditioning, which allows the battery to be preheated through a timer setting during AC charging, as well as the heater cut switch feature to save energy consumption, are newly integrated. The energy-saving heating function which warms only the most needed areas such as the seats and steering wheel, has also been added. 

Advanced safety upgrades 

The Next Generation eCanter also comes with additional advanced safety functions including: 

• Active sideguard assist 1.0, featured for the first time in a Fuso light-duty truck. This reduces the risk of accidents on turns by monitoring the blind spot on the side of the truck. When necessary, the feature activates a collision mitigation brake system. 
• Active brake assist 5 (ABA5) is an emergency braking system with improved spatial recognition and pedestrian detection. 
• The driver attention monitoring system, active attention assist, supports the prevention of fatigue-induced incidents with white line recognition, various sensors and a facial recognition camera, warning the driver with a buzzer and dashboard display. 
• Intelligent headlight control which automatically switches between high or low beams. 
• Traffic sign recognition which displays traffic signs recognised by the camera on the dashboard. 
• Other safety features include the electric parking brake that maintains stable braking force on hills, and the back eye camera system that assists drivers in avoiding collisions while reversing.