First ‘commercially viable’ hybrid for Lenham Storage
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LENHAM STORAGE will be the first UK haulier to take delivery of a 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid, having placed an order for two units.
The truck, which costs £7,250 more than a regular Canter 7C15, is being billed by Daimler as the “world’s first commercially viable hybrid truck”.
Mercedes-Benz truck sales and marketing director Sam Whittaker said it uses up to 23% less fuel than a comparable conventional Canter and estimated that it should pay for itself in approximately four years, depending on its operation.
It uses a parallel hybrid system, with an additional 40kW electric motor between the clutch and the Duonic dual-clutch transmission. The motor draws its power from lithium-ion batteries, which have a 10-year guarantee.
The hybrid technology gives the truck a 150kg weight penalty.
Canter Eco Hybrid is expected to prove popular with parcel delivery companies. So far UPS, DPD, TNT and FedEx have agreed to trial them.
The first right-hand drive deliveries are expected in December, although Mercedes is confident that it will have an example at next month’s Commercial Motor Live. For more information and to book your place, go to commercialmotorlive.com