Toll has welcomed the first two electric vehicles to be operated by Toll Express Japan. The light-duty all-electric trucks, manufactured by Daimler Trucks, are FUSO eCanters and will operate pick-up and delivery services in Tokyo.
Engineered to meet demand for cleaner and quieter urban deliveries, the FUSO eCanters offer an economical and environmentally efficient supply chain solution along with added comfort and functionality for a seamless driver experience. Each of these FUSO eCanters is expected to deliver a saving of 16 tons of CO₂ per year.
With a payload capacity of three tonnes, the FUSO eCanter’s electric drivetrain incorporates six high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, each storing 13.8kWh at 370V. The FUSO eCanter’s top speed is limited to 80km/h (49mph) with a driving range of over 100km (62 miles) on a single charge.
Peter Stokes, president of toll group operational services, said, “We’re investing in renewable energy solutions as part of our Smarter Green sustainability initiatives to provide industry-leading outcomes for our customers. In such a highly competitive industry, the deployment of electric vehicles in Tokyo will prove a key differentiator for Toll Express Japan.
“We are always looking at ways to drive efficiency across our operations and deliver add-value to our stakeholders. We’ve long identified electrification as an opportunity for Toll, following successful trials in Australia five years ago. While electric vehicles can easily be integrated into our operations and handle freight effectively with positive feedback from our drivers, the main hurdle to date has been the economic case for them.
“The FUSO eCanters mark a significant milestone for us with the alignment of price, performance and the energy density of batteries in supporting adoption of this technology in Japan. We hope other markets will follow suit and we remain actively engaged with our partners toward incorporating electric vehicles into our fleet.”