One is based at a depot near Whitehaven, Cumbria, which supplies contractors working at the Sellafield former nuclear power and fuel reprocessing site, while the other works from a branch in Warrington, where it serves building firms.
Both trucks have an operating range of more than 62 miles on a single charge, ample for the firm’s urban delivery work.
The eCanter’s electric drivetrain has six 13.8kWh lithium-ion batteries with a total useable power output of 66kWh, while its permanent-magnet motor delivers 180hp via a single-gear transmission in the rear axle.
Speedy’s fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles includes 50 at 7.5-tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
The new eCanters are the subject of a contract hire agreement with Daimler Truck Financial Services and come with plant-carrying platform bodies by Bevan Group.
Aaron Powell, Speedy’s Fleet director said, “We’re keen to invest in low and zero-emission transport as quickly as is practically possible.
“We reviewed the market before settling on the Fuso eCanter. There are battery-electric alternatives available, but these are either aftermarket conversions or vehicles that are very new.
“The eCanter, by contrast, is a factory-built truck that is already well proven in operation and comes with a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
“Driveline aside, it’s also very similar to the diesel-engined Canters that have been providing reliable and cost-efficient service on our fleet for many years.
“Increasingly, large corporate customers are demanding that every business in their supply chains should take all available measures to operate as sustainably as possible.”
