Daimler Trucks is running a fleet test for emission free electric trucks in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Daimler Trucks Fuso brand is the world leader in the production of partially and all all electric light duty vehicles. In 2014 and 2015 Daimler Trucks invested €2.5 billion in research and development of the vehicles with the focus on connectivity, safety and drive efficiency.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is also working on the project with Daimler. It invested €40 million in the development of electric commercial vehicles.

The city council of Stuttgart will test four, 6 tonne Fuso Canter E-Cell in the same sort of uses as the combustion engine trucks would be involved with. Two vehicles are electric tipper that will be deployed in road construction and landscaping while two vehicles with box bodies will be assigned to furniture transport and waste disposal operations. Finally an E-Cell will be involved in parcel deliveries for Hermes in the city too.

Dr Bernhard noted at the handover ceremony: “Today’s combustion engine is highly efficient, eco-friendly and, above all, clean. In long-distance transport it will remain the only option for a long time to come.

“In urban short-radius distribution, a partial switch to electric trucks will become technically feasible and economically viable within a few years’ time. With this fleet test, we are making a small yet important contribution to urban mobility in Stuttgart. Daimler Trucks is pushing ahead with the further development of this technology. Together with the Municipality of Stuttgart and the Hermes Company, we are taking a key step towards market maturity today.”

Marc Llistosella emphasized: “We at Fuso have acquired extensive experience in the development of local emission-free commercial vehicles. I am firmly convinced that the Canter E-Cell will now proof its strengths in the German climate and in the topographically very demanding area of urban Stuttgart. The Canter E-Cell offers our customers transport services which are not only environment-friendly, but also economical. Our test in Lisbon revealed savings of around 1000 euros per 10,000 kilometres in comparison to diesel trucks.”