(MENAFNEditorial) World premiere: the all-electric and networked Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck
• Electric truck with the performance of a diesel engine
• Innovative design with flowing lines
The Urban eTruck illustrates the fascinating possibilities of connectivity, electric drive systems, future display and control technologies, telematics, and a largely self-sufficient power supply. The Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck defines the latest developments in all-electric vehicles in the heavy short-radius distribution sector. The triple-axle vehicle with a permissible gross weight of 26.0 t produces zero local emissions and runs silently, yet it is equal to a truck with an internal combustion engine in terms of load and performance, and, thanks to its innovative power supply, it is also economical.
Electric truck with the performance of a diesel engine
The Urban eTruck holds its own against similar internal combustion engine-powered trucks in every respect, even its weight. The additional weight stands at only 1700 kg. As the EU Commission is in favour of increasing the permissible gross vehicle weight of trucks with alternative drives by a maximum of 1.0 t, this will more or less cancel out the weight disadvantage of the electric drive.
The outstanding features of the Urban eTruck include its drive with electrically powered rear axle and electric motors directly adjacent to the wheel hubs.
Their maximum output is 2 x 125 kW, while torque is 2 x 500 Nm. The standard version of the axle has already proven itself in buses.
The battery capacity of the Urban eTruck has a modular design. The basic arrangement is a battery pack consisting of lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 212 kWh. This results in a range of up to 200 km – normally enough for a typical day's delivery round.
Innovative design with flowing lines
The styling of the Urban eTruck is as innovative as its electric drive. It embodies the design philosophy of the Mercedes-Benz brand, which focuses on sensual purity – an expression that applies perfectly to the Urban eTruck. The contours of the driver's cab are sleek and fluid with minimal detailing and no visible joints.
Across the roof, a three-dimensional spoiler connects the cab with the body of the truck. It has a wide vent at the front, which acts as the air inlet for the cooling unit concealed behind the spoiler, as used in the food industry, for example.
Just like the roof spoiler, the aerodynamic skirting panels on the side of the cab fit almost flush with the body. The windscreen has been extended downwards. The mirror cams, that replace the conventional outside mirrors, are a distinctive feature on the truck.
The conventional air inlet has been omitted from the Urban eTruck because of the electric drive. Instead, a Black Panel grille is the branding element that connects the truck with its environment. It is transparent and back-lit by high-resolution LEDs. A number of different visual scenarios are conceivable: the LEDs can be used to recreate the signature Mercedes-Benz diamond radiator grille, to indicate the operating status of the truck or to show the charge level of the batteries.
Overall, the Urban eTruck represents the polarity between 'hot & cool' that is characteristic of Mercedes-Benz design. The sensual contouring of the lines is 'hot' and provides an exciting contrast to the highly technical 'cool' design features such as the embedded lighting, mirror cams and Black Panel grille.
World premiere: the new all-electric Fuso eCanter
The Fuso Canter E-Cell is now the Fuso eCanter. The new name represents the third generation of the world's first fully electric-powered light truck, and the small-scale production run is an important step on the way to full production. Technically, the eCanter is radically different from its predecessor and benefits from the extensive findings of customer trials with the second generation and the reduced costs of battery and component technology. It will be presented at the IAA International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles 2016.
The Fuso eCanter's locally zero-emission drive will not only reduce the impact of exhaust and noise emissions on city centres, but will also be an economically attractive alternative to diesel engines. Thanks to lower technology costs the eCanter will be launched to market at a competitive price. Lower running costs compared to an equivalent diesel model mean that any additional expense can be repaid in less than three years.
The new eCanter uses a permanent synchronous electric motor with an impressive output of 185 kW and torque of 380 Nm. Power is transferred to the rear axle by a standard single-speed transmission.
The vehicle premiered at the IAA has a battery capacity of 70 kWh. Depending on the body, load and usage, a range of more than 100 km without stationary recharging is possible. The batteries are spread over five units, one centrally in the frame right behind the cab and two more on each side of the frame. They are water-cooled lithium-ion batteries that provide a long service life, high efficiency, especially at high ambient temperatures, and compact construction of the battery units. The eCanter's exceptional weight balance is worth highlighting. The chassis load capacity of the 7.49 t vehicle is 4.63 t including the body and load.
Individual battery packs with three to six sets of batteries of 14 kWh each are planned for the upcoming small-scale production run. This allows the eCanter to be adapted to customer requirements with regards to range, price and weight. The concept is based on the results of customer tests that show that for some operators, payload is more important than range, while others are happy to sacrifice payload for longer range, i.e. more batteries.
Equally adaptable are the charging options: up to 80 percent capacity within an hour with direct current at a quick charging station, or 100 percent in seven hours with alternating current. In the future, rapid charging with 170 kW will be possible, meaning 80 percent battery capacity in only half an hour. A standard Combo 2 plug (known as Combined Charging System) is used for charging.
The results of a year-long fleet test with the second generation electric Canter have shown that around 1000 euros per 10 000 km can be saved with this vehicle compared to a diesel version. Coupled with a reduction in maintenance costs of around 30 percent, this makes the Fuso an economical solution for customers. The projected sales price means that any additional expense will be repaid in less than three years. These vehicles have proven their suitability for daily use in short-radius distribution and urban transport.
The Fuso eCanter will have its world premiere at the IAA as a preview of the small-scale production run that will be delivered to customers in Europe, the USA and Japan as of 2017. The exhibition vehicle features a unique and attractive design, with LED headlamps and a distinct grille and bumper, and a redesigned interior including a central, removable tablet with connectivity functions. The wide comfort cab is painted in metallic blue, as are the fully-clad sides. A walk-on glass floor in the exhibition vehicle's box body offers a view of the drive unit and the batteries.
While these design elements provide a vision of the eCanter's future, the technology is the same as in the small-scale production model.
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