New Fuso eCanter to get Side Guard technology standard

To be launched in May, the award-winning Fuso eCanter will feature unmatched Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) technology, including the Active Side Guard Assist feature that can detect hazards down the side of the truck, such as moving pedestrians and cyclists, when turning left.

The Active Side Guard Assist system is so advanced that after issuing an initial warning, the eCanter can automatically brake to avoid an impact in the event the driver does not respond.

The current Fuso eCanter already leads its class with active safety features designed to keep the vehicle occupants and pedestrians safe, but the next generation truck is even safer again.

“Near silent electric trucks usually operate in high-density areas with a lot of pedestrians and other road users, so active safety features are critically important,” said Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Sales and Marketing Vice President, Andrew Assimo.

“The eCanter has a clear safety advantage with the most advanced active safety features that are fully integrated and, importantly, standard.”

Daimler Truck has had a long history of fitting advanced safety features as standard to its vehicles, including the introduction of radar-based active emergency braking in Australia back in 2012 on the Actros from Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, said safety is something that should be front of mind during the truck selection process.

“We always encourage customers to think about safety when they buy any kind of truck; electric or not. It does make sense that a company or person motivated to look after the environment and buy a battery electric vehicle would also want to look after whoever is driving the truck, other road users and pedestrians,” he said.

“When safety is considered, the eCanter is the only choice in the class,” Mr Whitehead concluded.

The Next Generation eCanter is also fitted with the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS), which generates artificial vehicle sounds at low speeds to warn other road users, as well as Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), an electric park brake, automatic headlights and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Also standard are LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), LED headlights and LED taillights, which are 30 per cent brighter than equivalent halogen lights and also use less energy.