The brand-new FUSO eCanter, the first all-electric light-duty truck in series production, is now being used by Penske for deliveries.

Penske Truck Leasing is preparing plans to operate electric trucks from Daimler AG’s Japanese affiliate Fuso for urban deliveries in California.

“With its Fuso brand Daimler was able to gain knowledge and experience with e-trucks globally in various markets,” said Hartmut Schick, head Daimler Trucks Asia.

“We are very proud, that now with Penske, a huge commercial customer in the U.S., will also operate the Fuso eCanter for urban delivery – next to its Freightliner brothers. Penske will benefit from the global know how and experience network within Daimler Trucks,” he added.

Schick said as an experienced truck manufacturer and through the backing of its parent Daimler Trucks, Fuso can demonstrate its ability of supporting the operation of the electric eCanter trucks through its established parts, service and warranty network of Fuso dealerships.

(Daimler spending $500 million on automated truck development. Click Here for the story.)

Daimler AG's Freightliner subsidiary delivered the first battery-electric medium-truck truck to Penske for testing.

Penske Truck Leasing is part of the Penske Group of companies controlled by racing legend Roger Penske, who throughout the years has participated in several business ventures with Daimler companies, including the launch of the smart brand in the United States.

Penske Truck Leasing also took delivery its first fully electrified Freightliner eM2 truck from Daimler Trucks North America in the U.S. at the end of last year.

“We’re pleased to begin introducing the eCanter into our fleet,” said Brian Hard, president and CEO of Penske Truck Leasing.

“We continue to invest in the latest viable innovative vehicle technologies to benefit our customers. With a guaranteed range of 100 km and a fast-charging option, the eCanter is a viable option for fleets seeking to reduce tailpipe emissions and noise pollution in urban delivery settings.”

(Click Here for details about Penske testing Daimler’s electric delivery trucks.)

Penske taking on the eCanter comes as electric vehicles generally are building some sales momentum in the United States and in other parts of the world.

Freightliner is part of Daimler's e-mobility program.

The all-electric Fuso eCanter light-duty truck with an output of 129 kW and a payload up to 3.5 tons already is in consumer operations in Japan and the US and also in major European markets like Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Currently more than 100 vehicles are in customer hands around the globe. With a guaranteed range of 100 kilometers the 7.49-ton truck covers the requirements of the costumers for inner-city distribution.

(To see more about Daimler AG’s restructuring plans, Click Here.)

Thus, the vehicles can be charged overnight with alternating current chargers or direct current chargers depending on availability. Therefore, the charging time can be reduced to approximately 105 minutes by using a fast charger.