First delivery of latest-generation eCanter electric trucks

Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation in Japan has announced that deliveries of the new eCanter have begun with the sale of around 900 units to Yamato Transport. The deliveries will mark the first introduction of the new eCanter in the world.

The eCanter was launched by MFTBC in 2017 as Japan's first mass-produced electric light-duty truck, an emission free vehicle that reduces the burden on the driver with its low noise/vibration driving.

Since the launch of the first-generation model in 2017, the eCanter has been highly acclaimed by customers, both in Japan and other markets. The eCanter emits no emissions when running and has little vibration or noise, making it suitable for delivery in residential areas even early in the morning or late at night.

Yamato ordered 25 units of the first generation eCanter in 2017, and based on the results of its use in home delivery and other logistics services, Yamato has now decided to introduce around 900 units for deployment across Japan.

This is the largest single order of the eCanter to date. The Yamato Group is introducing the eCanter as part of its efforts to achieve a 48 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to FY2020), followed by virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The eCanters delivered to Yamato Transport this time are a standard cab, S-battery pantech with three compartments for dry, refrigerated, and frozen goods. The narrowest standard cab vehicle newly added to the lineup with the new eCanter model is more manoeuvrable, making it suitable for deliveries in crowded cities.

With a maximum payload capacity of two tonnes, this is the company's first introduction of a two-tonne class EV truck.

The deliveries will begin from September 2023. Yamato will use Fuso’s Green Lease, a lease product exclusively for the new eCanter in Japan, designed to meet the specific needs of EV trucks. The package covers all items necessary for the introduction and operation of EV trucks, including the eCanter vehicle itself, vehicle maintenance services, and special warranties.

Created by Daimler Truck Financial Services, this product facilitates the introduction and operation of the eCanter and supports safer, more secure, and more efficient EV truck operations.

"The Yamato Group is pursuing a variety of initiatives to realise zero GHG emissions by 2050,” said Yutaka Nagao, President of Yamato Transport. “The introduction of EVs is one of the most important initiatives to promote our sustainable management,” he added.

“We are honoured to support Yamato Transport in their continuing efforts to go carbon neutral as they deploy our EV trucks throughout Japan,” said Karl Deppen, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation.

“We are also happy that Yamato Transport opted for our Green Lease program to help smooth their transition to eMobility,” he concluded.