So far, Mercedes has tread carefully into the world of electric vehicles, letting Tesla build the battery and drivetrain of its debut EV, the Mercedes B-Class Electric. But the German automaker is getting bolder with its next electric move.
Mercedes has delivered eight Fuso Canter E-Cell trucks for testing in Portugal for the next year, offering a 60-mile range and 150 horsepower. While certainly not record setting figures, combined with a 14-foot bed, zero emissions, and low fueling costs, these Mercedes E-Cell trucks are the first step in figuring out what people need out of an electric hauler.
While most of us Americans are used to the Mitsubishi Fuso truck, Daimler actually owns 85% of the Fuso brand. Last year a plug-in hybrid Fuso made its debut, and now its time for the fully-electric version to make its mark. The trucks will be used through various cities in Portugal, working on as transportation and delivery vehicles for farms, waste management, and energy services.
Despite the low horsepower rating, short range, and a top speed of around just 55 MPH, the Fuso E-Cell still has a hauling capacity of up to three tons. Electric trucks have huge market potential, especially for small business owners, but as Smith Electric has found out, the market for such vehicles hasn’t quite matured yet.
Source: http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/17/mercedes-testing-eight-e-cell-fuso-canter-trucks/
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