Australia Post adds 20 Fuso eCanter electric trucks to its fleet

Australia Post's fleet of electric vehicles continues to grow as the national courier service announced today it will be adding 20 Fuso eCanter trucks to its stable.

The first electric truck to come to market in Australia, the Fuso eCanter is based on the familiar internal combustion engine-powered truck, which has been a staple of logistics operations for years – just with a 66kWh battery pack and 135kW/390Nm motor in place of the ICE.

With a Gross Vehicle Mass of 7.5 tonnes, the eCanter can't replicate the driving range of other battery-powered passenger vehicles, but can still operate well in urban environments – helping Australia Post reduce its emissions, while keeping on top of the massive demand for deliveries throughout the pandemic.

3

General manager of networks for Australia Post, James Dixon, said the eCanters will be part of the company's 3000-strong EV fleet, which will help to reduce its carbon footprint in the coming years.

"With the significant growth in parcel volumes, more vehicles are required in our network," said Dixon.

"It makes good sense to add electric vehicles as part of this requirement. Not only will these eCanters fit our needs in this delivery category, but they will also contribute to our science based target to reduce emissions by 15 per cent by 2025 from a FY19 baseline.

"Since working with Daimler Trucks on the pre-production eCanter, we have been keen to have the truck in our fleet. Daimler Trucks is a good choice for Australia Post in the fleet space with a large network and focus on safety."

3

Fuso says the eCanter has undergone months of testing worldwide, which included a six-month stint in Australia, providing a comprehensive shakedown of the truck before it hits the road officially.

The 20 Fuso eCanters in question will join the Australia Post fleet from October this year and will remain in its fleet for six years as part of the lease agreement between the manufacturer and company.