Japan’s Mitsubishi Fuso launches new eCanter electric truck in Hong Kong as part of sustainable transport push
- Sustainable transport in Hong Kong also needs cost-parity, charging infrastructure and a network to provide aftersales services, executive of Mitsubishi Fuso majority shareholder Daimler says
- Initial sales target is 20 to 50 units this year, because there are still some hurdles to promoting e-trucks in Hong Kong: sole agent Universal Cars
The launch of the new-generation eCanter light-duty electric truck is the commercial vehicle’s first release in the Asian market outside Japan, showing Mitsubishi Fuso’s strong commitment to the electric truck market in the city, Kyu-Sang Cho, vice-president of Daimler Commercial Vehicles Southeast Asia, said at an unveiling ceremony last week. Daimler is the majority shareholder of Mitsubishi Fuso.
“Worldwide, the transport sector generates about 90 per cent of global carbon-dioxide emissions, and trucks are responsible for 42 per cent [of that share],” Cho said.
The eCanter was developed by Mitsubishi Fuso as a solution to urban environmental issues such as noise, exhaust gas and carbon-dioxide emissions, according to its website.
As the electric truck is emission-free and produces less noise and vibrations compared with conventional diesel-powered vehicles, it is particularly suited to inner-city routes as well as operations during late night and early morning hours, according to Mitsubishi Fuso.