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“It definitely<br />
pays to drive<br />
conservatively to<br />
maximise range”<br />
In effect, the 100km range is<br />
the minimum distance potential<br />
operating at near or close to full load.<br />
It’s reasonable to accept Fuso’s<br />
claim for the simple reason that, as<br />
a local delivery truck goes about<br />
its daily workload, it loses weight<br />
as freight progressively comes off.<br />
Thus, actual driving range is probably<br />
greater than 100km.<br />
As soon revealed, the same<br />
reasoning can be applied to a<br />
partially charged range potential of,<br />
let’s say, 58km.<br />
SUBURBAN STEER<br />
From Fuso’s Huntingwood dealership<br />
in western Sydney, and with gross<br />
weight at 6.5 tonnes, the demo truck<br />
was poked into a typical suburban<br />
slurry of baulking traffic, traffic lights<br />
and congestion. Nonetheless, all the<br />
good things we’d come to expect<br />
of the electric Canter from previous<br />
drives were again there to be<br />
appreciated, not least the realisation<br />
that driving a local delivery truck in<br />
metro mayhem just doesn’t get any<br />
easier than this.<br />
Sure, it takes a little while to come<br />
to grips with the fact that, other<br />
than the radio, there’s basically<br />
no noise apart from the drone of<br />
rubber on the road. But the big thing<br />
is the smoothness of a truck with<br />
no engine and no transmission<br />
other than an electric motor driving<br />
into a single-speed diff. At first,<br />
you’re waiting for gearshifts that<br />
never come but it doesn’t take<br />
long to settle into the sensation of<br />
completely uninterrupted progress<br />
from go to whoa, and whoa to go.<br />
What’s more, acceleration is<br />
stunningly brisk for a light-duty<br />
truck, while, at the other end of the<br />
performance spectrum, retardation<br />
through a two-stage regenerative<br />
braking system is incredibly strong.<br />
Like its diesel counterparts,<br />
though, the more you push the<br />
‘go’ pedal, the more fuel (battery<br />
charge) you consume and it<br />
definitely pays to drive conservatively<br />
to maximise range.<br />
Speaking of which, it didn’t take<br />
long to consume 58km-worth of<br />
battery charge and, with the trip<br />
meter showing 57.6km and the<br />
truck’s range gauge almost on nil, it’s<br />
fair to suggest the eCanter slid back<br />
into the Huntingwood site with very<br />
little left in the tank, so to speak.<br />
Of course, driving range remains<br />
eCanter’s Achilles heel but, as<br />
we’ve commented before, when this<br />
pushes out to 200km and more, as<br />
it most surely will, given the pace of<br />
developments in battery technology<br />
and electric propulsion – notably<br />
with the inclusion of hydrogen-based<br />
fuel cells to increase driving range –<br />
a whole new level of acceptance and<br />
appreciation will come into play.<br />
Likewise, recharging systems<br />
and infrastructure are key elements<br />
which will take time and commitment<br />
from many institutions to reach<br />
satisfactory levels for commercial<br />
vehicles. But given the economies of<br />
scale in the density of major cities,<br />
demand will drive investment. As it<br />
always does.<br />
Critically, though, someone needs<br />
to remember to flick the switch.<br />
Top and above:<br />
Canter’s cab has<br />
been significantly<br />
improved over the<br />
years but in the<br />
electric version,<br />
driving ease is<br />
brilliant. Still,<br />
it’s worth paying<br />
attention to the<br />
dash readout,<br />
particularly<br />
regarding<br />
driving range<br />
FULLYLOADED.COM.AU July 2021 <strong>ATN</strong> 61
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