Mirroring their successes in last year’s competition, the FUSO eCanter was again named Best Alternative Fuel Truck by the leading small business user magazine, while the high-riding, all-wheel drive version took the Best Heavy Duty 4×4 honours for a remarkable sixth year running.
The FUSO Canter light truck family is sold and supported by Mercedes- Benz Dealers in Great Britain.
Presented by Trade Van Driver Editor Matthew Eisenegger at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2019, this year’s awards were the first to be accepted on behalf of the manufacturer by Joe Castronovo, since his appointment in March to the role of FUSO Product Manager at Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK.
Trade Van Driver targets the owner-driver and small fleet operator, and prides itself on offering “a true reflection of the thoughts and feelings of our readership”. The magazine’s awards are judged not only by its own expert panel of journalists, but also by a panel of readers who use light commercial vehicles in their own businesses.
Whisper-quiet, and producing zero tail-pipe emissions, the 7.5- tonne FUSO eCanter is powered by six high-voltage, water-cooled lithium-ion batteries. It has been widely acknowledged as the first economically viable, fully electric truck – with a body and payload allowance of up to 4.5 tonnes, and a single charge allowing effective operating ranges of more than 62 miles (100 km), the eCanter also offers valuable operating cost savings compared to a conventional, diesel-engined truck.
The first examples are operating successfully in London, following delivery to high-profile customers DPD, Hovis and Wincanton PLC more than a year ago. As Trade Van Driver’s judges observed: “While many of the major manufacturers are dipping their toes into the alternative fuel pond, FUSO is way ahead of the game with its eCanter. Its technology is solid and proven, so any traders wishing to embrace environmental concerns can do so with confidence when choosing this vehicle.”
The well-established, 6.5-tonne Canter 4×4 is easily distinguished from its stablemates by its raised ride height. Powered by a 129 kW (175 hp) engine, and offering a body and payload allowance of up to 3,880 kg, it is equipped with selectable four-wheel drive.
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