The new FleetBoard store for apps, which made its debut at the IAA, provides useful apps made by, and for, the transport sector. FleetBoard will also offer all Mercedes-Benz Trucks customers a simple, fast and free route to connectivity. This is made possible by the new FleetBoard Manager app.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks is linking the two megatrends digitalisation and e-mobility in the Urban eTruck. The vehicle is a spectacular vision of the networked and all-electric distribution truck of tomorrow. Fuso’s eCanter is the third generation of the world’s first fully electric-powered light commercial vehicle and is the first small-scale production run of electric Fuso trucks.
The latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz OM 470 engine offers improved performance and greater efficiency. Mercedes-Benz Trucks has approved the use of alternative fuels in the latest OM 470 and OM 471 engines, which are designed to use such fuels as standard.
This year, Mercedes-Benz is also getting closer to the goal of accident-free driving. Active Brake Assist 4 is the first system of its type in the world to warn the driver of imminent collisions with moving pedestrians and simultaneously automatically initiate partial braking. Sideguard Assist with pedestrian detection will also be launched to market as the first assistance system that protects pedestrians and cyclists when trucks are turning.
World premiere: the all-electric and networked Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck
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.
Connectivity meets e-mobility: intelligent energy management in the Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck
The Urban eTruck can operate in three different modes, which optimise the way in which it is driven and the use of the energy available. On a standard journey, the Urban eTruck is set to ‘auto’. It automatically adapts the ‘auto’, ‘agile’ and ‘eco’ settings to conditions within a certain target range. For special cases there is a power mode called ‘agile’, and for maximum range there is an ‘eco’ mode.
A tablet provides the driver with additional information about the trip, as well as continually updated and precise details on range and batteries. These are presented on a local map with a clever graphic known as the ‘range potato’ and a target range. The calculations are based on the driving strategy, the three-dimensional map and the trip planning.
World premiere: the new all-electric Fuso eCanter
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.
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.
