Summary
– Bharat Benz forays into the battery electric market with Next-Gen eCanter.
– India launch of all-electric eCanter in 6-12 months.
– Diesel ICE and CO2-neutral propulsion to co-exist.
– Bharat Benz eCanter will be assembled in the Indian market.
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG (“Daimler Truck”) has announced its debut in the Indian battery electric market with the Next-Generation eCanter.
This move aligns with the company’s broader aim to decarbonize its entire product range in the long run.
Scheduled for launch within the next 6 to 12 months, the all-electric eCanter marks DICV’s foray into India’s light-duty truck segment.
Globally, Daimler Truck, the parent company of DICV, is fully committed to the Paris Climate Protection Agreement, aiming to achieve CO2-neutral transport on a worldwide scale.
As part of this commitment, Daimler Truck aims to make its new trucks and buses CO2-neutral in Europe, Japan, and the USA by 2039, and globally by 2050.
In alignment with Daimler Truck’s vision, DICV is working diligently to prepare a CO2-neutral product portfolio for the Indian market, in line with global decarbonization goals.
Diesel ICE and CO2-neutral propulsion technologies will continue to co-exist in the Indian market for the foreseeable future.
This announcement closely follows DICV’s unveiling of its MY24 BharatBenz Trucks range on March 27, 2024.
“As Bharat Benz forays into the battery electric market in India, we announce the launch of the all-electric eCanter in India, within the next 6 to 12 months. This is DICV’s first step in our long-term strategy to decarbonize our entire product portfolio,”
DICV’s propulsion technology roadmap aligns with Daimler Truck’s global strategy, emphasizing Bharat Benz’s foray into the battery electric and hydrogen-based drive technologies.
Notably, in June 2023, DICV collaborated with Reliance Industries to develop a Bharat Benz hydrogen fuel cell concept bus.
Looking ahead, DICV plans to introduce trucks catering to diverse utility segments such as long haul, mining, construction, POL, dumper, RMC, and more, addressing varied freight and terrain needs.
According to Satyakam Arya, DICV’s primary focus will be on battery-electric and hydrogen-based propulsion technologies.
“LNG, if used at all, will be an interim, tactical solution for long haul transportation. We will primarily commit to battery-electric and hydrogen-based propulsion technologies across our future product portfolio, in a phased manner,” stated Mr. Arya.
Bharat Benz eCanter
The all-electric Bharat Benz eCanter will mark DICV’s entry into the 3.5 to 7.5-tonne truck market, an area where the company had not ventured previously.
Currently, the eCanter is undergoing advanced trials.
Originating in Japan, the battery electric platform saw its series production begin with the first-generation eCanter in 2017.
Built on the Mitsubishi Fuso platform, this light-duty truck is currently assembled in Japan and Europe.
India will become the third major market where the model will be locally assembled.
The all-new, third-generation eCanter made its debut in Japan and Europe in the latter half of 2022.
Since its inception, the eCanter has achieved significant sales numbers, reaching hundreds in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
Globally, Daimler Trucks has sold over 2500 E-Canters, covering more than 8 million kilometers on the road.
