Toll has added the first two electric vehicles to be operated by Toll Express Japan. The light-duty all-electric trucks, manufactured by Daimler Trucks, are FUSO eCanters and will operate pickup and delivery services in Tokyo.

Engineered to meet demand for cleaner and quieter urban deliveries, the FUSO eCanters offer an economical and environmentally efficient supply chain solution along with added comfort and functionality for a seamless driver experience. Each of these FUSO eCanters is expected to deliver a saving of 16 tons of CO2 per year.

With a payload capacity of 3 tonnes, the FUSO eCanter‘s electric drivetrain incorporates six high voltage lithium-ion batteries, each storing 13.8 kilowatt hours at 370 volts. The FUSO eCanter‘s top speed is limited to 80 km/h with a driving range of over 100km on a single charge.

Peter Stokes, president of Toll Group operational services, acknowledged that it was the partnership with Daimler and the incentives on offer in Japan that made the move to electric vehicles possible for Toll Express Japan.

“We‘re investing in renewable energy solutions as part of our Smarter Green sustainability initiatives to provide industry-leading outcomes for our customers. In such a highly competitive industry, the deployment of electric vehicles in Tokyo will prove a key differentiator for Toll Express Japan.

“We are always looking at ways to drive efficiency across our operations and deliver added-value to our stakeholders. We‘ve long identified electrification as an opportunity for Toll, following successful trials in Australia five years ago. Whilst electric vehicles can easily be integrated into our operations and handle freight effectively with positive feedback from our drivers, the main hurdle to date has been the economic case for them.”