Claimed to be the “world’s cleanest light-duty truck”, the Canter Eco Hybrid, from Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, went on display at the IAA commercial vehicles exhibition in Hanover, Germany, last month.

Fuso, which is part of DaimlerChrysler, says it is the first light-duty truck to comply with Japan’s long-term emissions regulations.

It intends to launch the vehicle in Japan first, while evaluating its potential for the European market as a general industrial vehicle for use in areas such as construction and delivery.

Key to the 2,830kg vehicle’s “green” credentials is its hybrid diesel-electric drive, which Fuso claims delivers up to a 20 per cent increase in fuel efficiency compared to conventionally powered models. The core of this system is a small displacement, 3-litre, 16-valve intercooled turbo-diesel engine. This is combined in parallel with an “ultra-slim” electric motor, high performance Lithium-ion battery and Inomat-II automated mechanical transmission.

The diesel engine develops 92kW at 3200 rpm and 294Nm of torque at 1700 rpm, while the electric motor is capable of 35kW.
The fact that the system runs in parallel means that Canter Eco Hybrid can be driven by the diesel engine, the electric motor or both at the same time depending on the situation. The electric motor is used when starting off, both are used together under heavy acceleration and once cruising, the diesel engine alone is used for maximum fuel efficiency.

When slowing or braking, the electric motor functions as a generator to slow the vehicle and simultaneously convert energy from the braking into electric energy which is then stored in the battery.

Fuso claims to be the first company to use second generation Lithium-ion batteries, which do not require periodic replacement.
The engine also incorporates a new diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a high-precision exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for reducing NOx emissions. Whereas in Europe emissions can currently be evaluated on either NOx or particulate matter, upcoming regulations in Japan, as well as impending Euro 6 emissions legislation, will require both to be taken into account. The Canter Eco Hybrid already meets Japan’s 2007 regulations.