Daimler turns to electric truck, van for future mobility

Hannover:  Preparing for a new era of electric mobility, automaker Daimler AG  showcased concepts of an all-electric truck, van and production ready Fuso eCanter which it plans to launch over the next few years.

Besides, the company also announced the launch of various web-based vehicle management services.

Speaking to reporters at the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition here, Daimler AG Member Board of Management Wolfgang Bernhard said the company "is opening the door on a new era, e-mobility for urban areas".

He further said: "We present many industry firsts that make our vehicles more efficient and safe. And we offer our customers connectivity services to make work-life easier and significantly increase the uptime of our trucks."

The Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck, showcased today, produces zero emissions and runs silently, yet it is equivalent to a truck with an internal combustion engine in terms of load and performance.

The truck, with a gross weight of 26 tonnes, can operate in three different modes, which optimises the way it's driven and the use of the energy available. It can handle a 200-km range from one full charge.

The company expects to launch the product in "mature markets" after 2020.

The Mercedes-Benz all electric automated van has been named 'Vision Van' and will be introduced in 2018.

"The Vision Van evolved as part of the strategic future initiative 'adVANce'. With adVANce, Mercedes-Benz Vans is developing from a mere van manufacturer to a supplier of holistic system solutions," the company said.

The van features a fully integrated cargo space, drones for autonomous air deliveries and joystick control. It is powered by a 75 kW electric drive system with a range of 270 km.

Daimler also premiered the third generation of Fuso eCanter at the biennial show here.

"A small series of the third generation of this light duty truck, up to 6 tonnes of gross vehicle weight, will be delivered to customers in Europe, the US and Japan as of 2017," the Stuttgart-based firm said.

Commenting on it further, Daimler Trucks Asia Head Marc Llistosella said the the new Fuso eCanter is an economically attractive alternative to the diesel engine.

"Due to the rapidly improving battery efficiency, combined with significantly lower costs, we intend to launch the vehicle at a competitive price," he added.

The vehicle, targeted at last mile delivery, has a range of around 100 kms, depending on load. Daimler also announced the launch of web-based service,

Mercedes Pro Connect. The service will enable fleet managers to remain connected with vehicles and drivers.

"With Mercedes Pro, we are creating a digital ecosystem that merges our products and services in one brand network. It is our aspiration to link our customers' demands to future technologies," Mercedes-Benz Vans Head, Volker Mornhinweg, said.

The service will kick-start from the first half of next year.

Daimler also showcased Mercedes-Benz Future Bus for urban mobility.

"In the coming 10 years, there will be more changes in our vehicles than in the past 120 years. We are on the edge of a new era. A new era where we can all look forward to," Bernhard said.