Truck rolls into Tokyo Motor Show
Daimler rolled out an all-electric heavy-duty truck concept at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. A production version could launch within four years in markets such as Japan or Europe, the company says.
The E-Fuso Vision One, created by Daimler’s Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, boasts a similar payload capacity to a comparable diesel truck. It can carry a payload of about 11 tons, just two tons less than a diesel truck, and it weighs around 23 tons. Daimler admits the industry isn’t quite ready to introduce long-haul electric trucks, and instead, it envisions the concept truck as a local hauler within cities. Range is estimated at around 217 miles on a single charge, although it’s unclear what that number translates to in the U.S. testing cycle.
The concept vehicle is a nice follow-up to the recent launch of Daimler’s eCanter. This light-duty electric truck has a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tons and an approximate range of between 62 miles and 75 miles. Daimler has handed over the first copies of the truck to customers in Japan. In the U.S., the truck serves the United Parcel Service and a host of organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Wildlife Conservation Society.
Also at the Tokyo show, Daimler and MFTBC took the opportunity to launch E-Fuso, a new brand exclusively dedicated to electric trucks and buses. The company will launch a range of models across different segments in the coming years.
Daimler isn’t the only one in the electric truck business. Cummins recently launched an electric semi truck, and Tesla is getting ready to roll out one of its own very soon.
Source: Daimler