The all-electric Fuso eCanter has been unveiled to select members at this week’s Victorian Transport Association State Conference where it earned high praise.
On show at San Remo, Victoria, ahead of going on sale next week, the pioneering truck, which produces zero local emissions and next to no noise, drew the attention of Federal Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, Shadow Federal Assistant Minister for Road Safety, Senator Glenn Sterle, and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chief Executive Officer, Sal Petroccitto.
Posing next to the vehicle, which will become the first integrated Original Equipment Manufacturer all-electric truck available in Australia, all three expressed a desire to drive the eCanter.
Petroccitto said the eCanter was representative of the type of innovation that the NHVR would like to see on Australian roads.
“The eCanter is just the kind of truck that the NHVR supports as part of the Vehicle Safety and Environmental Uptake Plan, which was released last year,” he said.
“There is a clear benefit in having electric drive for commercial vehicles for delivery, waste collection and buses in our big cities,” said Petroccitto.
Like all Canter models, the eCanter comes standard with Advanced Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning System and Electronic Stability Control — active safety systems that the NHVR is determined to help get into more trucks on Australian roads.
The NHVR’s Vehicle SETUP Plan was developed following a survey of manufacturers in 2018, and is designed to meet the targets set out in the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2018- 2020.
The plan, according to Petroccitto, will be delivered through five work packages, including better harmonisation of Australian vehicle standards, better access to the latest vehicle technologies, ensuring appropriate in-service requirements, and industry education about new and emerging technology.
Buchholz said he is reassured when heavy vehicle manufacturers deliver “new, safer systems,” and would like to see the eCanter in action.
“In infrastructure, technology, safety and innovation, our Government is making the necessary investments to make the road transport sector more productive, profitable and safer,” Buchholz said.
“To achieve that, we need manufacturers to invest in technical innovation to help drive efficiency and raise safety for our hard working truck drivers and other road users,” he added.