With the seeding of Fuso eCanter electric light-duty truck already in progress in India, it will be offered in the market under the BharatBenz brand name rather than the Fuso brand name, claim industry sources with the knowledge of the development. 

Drawing attention to the launch of eCanter under the Fuso brand name in Indonesia, they mention that Daimler India Commercial Vehicles' (DICV) first electric truck in the country will offered with a GVW of 4.25 tonne. 

The commercial launch of the vehicle expected to take place ahead of the upcoming festive season, the e-truck is being worked upon in terms of its marketing position vis a vis what the competition would soon follow up with and in terms of what the market requirements are. 

With the electric commercial vehicle market on the truck side moving up to light four-wheel trucks, albeit in the GVW range of up to 1.7 to two tonne as of now, the eCanter at 4.25 tonne GVW should make it a good candidate for mid and last-mile deliveries in the e-commerce, parcel and other application areas. 

While it will be clear once DICV chooses to commercially introduce the eCanter under the BharatBenz brand as to what its strategy is, it is no secret that the company makes four Daimler Truck brands – Fuso, BharatBenz, Mercedes Benz and Freightliner – at its Oragadam plant on the outskirts of Chennai. 

In fact, it is the heavy-duty trucks made and exported from the Oragadam plant that has expanded the Fuso brand portfolio in Far East Asian markets where buyers always perceived the truck brand as the one offering light-duty trucks only. 

To be a part of the 14 new commercial vehicles DICV will launch in 2024, the eCanter is a reflection of Daimler Truck's commitment to the Paris Climate Protection Agreement and also its pioneering efforts in the field of modern transportation. 

With growing demand for CO₂-neutral transportation and a clear understanding of safety, the eCanter – which world premiered in Japan and Europe in the second half of 2022 – is being offered in four configurations (4.25-tonne, six-tonne, 7.5-tonne and 8.5-tonne) and two battery packs – S and M. This is in the markets outside of India as of current. 

The S battery pack is of 39/41 kWh capacity and supports a range of 70 km. The M battery pack is of 78/82 kWh and supports a range of 140 km. 

Available in a single cab form for applications such as city distribution (last-mile delivery), the eCanter is available in three wheelbase options – 2,500 mm, 2,800 mm and 3,400 mm. 

If DICV will offer more than one configuration of eCanter in India is not yet clear. The feedback of the seeding is expected to help to decide on such and other parameters. It is possible that DICV will offer the lightest 4.25 tonne configuration at the beginning and follow up with the other two configurations when it confident that the technology and vehicle are well received by the market.  

Efforts to localise the model are being made as part of DICV's strategy from the time it entered the India truck market in 2012, the sources informed.  

While the initial push is expected to be towards institutional buyers, a robust leasing mechanism could get the eCanter is the scope of retail customers as well. As of now, it makes an interesting addition to the commercial vehicle technology landscape of the vast country that India is. 

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Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has commenced deliveries of the 24 units of AVTR 55T Electric trucks to ASAT Logistics, which is the strategic logistics partner for Shree Cement.

The keys to the first batch of four trucks were handed over by Sanjeev Kumar, President - MHCV, Ashok Leyland, to Arvind Sarda, CEO, ASAT Logistics.

The trucks use lithium-ion battery technology with dual-gun charging and are compatible with industry-standard trailers and superstructures. The vehicles include a cabin, automatic transmission, telematics and a suite of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) and safety features.

Sanjeev Kumar, said, “We are thrilled to deliver the first batch of 4 units of our AVTR 55T Electric trucks to ASAT Logistics. These trucks highlight our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and performance in the commercial vehicle sector. This partnership reflects the growing confidence in our electric mobility solutions and reinforces our position as a technology leader in the logistics ecosystem. As we continue to push the boundaries of clean transportation, we remain focused on delivering reliable, efficient, and future-ready mobility solutions.”

Arvind Sarda, said, “We have complete trust in the quality and performance of Ashok Leyland trucks. Together with Shree Cement, we embark on a journey toward a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable future. We thank Ashok Leyland for delivering the technologically advanced AVTR 55T Electric trucks, enabling us to take further our commitment to building a sustainable and eco-friendly transportation ecosystem. With Ashok Leyland’s dedication to innovation and our forward-thinking approach to logistics for Shree Cement, we look forward to continued success on the road.”

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Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, one of India’s leading players in the commercial vehicle segment, has unveiled what it claims is its most advanced intercity platform yet – the all-new Tata LPO 1822 bus chassis.

The Tata LPO 1822 is said to provide a superior ride experience through its full-air suspension and low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) attributes – ensuring a fatigue-free journey for passengers and drivers alike. It is available in flexible configurations ranging from 36-seaters to 50-seaters and sleeper layouts.

Anand S, Vice-President and Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “India’s intercity transport ecosystem is undergoing a transformation, driven by rising connectivity and growing passenger expectations. The Tata LPO 1822 is an advanced product – combining superior ride quality, robust engineering and intelligent features to deliver unmatched value. It is a win-win for passengers, drivers and fleet owners – elevating comfort, enhancing safety and improving profitability.”

The LPO 1822 is powered by a 5.6-litre Cummins diesel engine, which delivers 220hp and 925Nm of torque. The chassis also serves as the underpinning for the fully built Tata Magna Coach.

As part of aftersales peace-of-mind, the LPO 1822 comes with a complimentary four-year subscription to Fleet Edge, Tata Motors’ next generation connected vehicle platform, which provides real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance and data-driven fleet optimisation.

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European commercial vehicle major the TRATON Group saw a 16 percent decline in unit sales YoY in Q3 of CY2025, amidst a market environment.

Based on preliminary figures, the group sold 71,400 vehicles in Q3 CY2025, down from 85,300 in the same quarter last year. Unit sales for the first nine months of 2025 amounted to 224,500 vehicles, a 9 percent decrease. Sales of all-electric vehicles rose by 55 percent in the quarter to 820 units.

Scania Vehicles & Services recorded a 1 percent drop in unit sales in Q3 CY2025. Sales in Europe offset decreasing unit sales in Brazil, where the market continues to have high dealer inventory levels and rising interest rates.

MAN Truck & Bus increased its unit sales by 24 percent in Q3 CY2025. Truck sales increased YoY despite the European truck market. Sales of buses and MAN TGE vans supported the increase.

International Motors saw a 57 percent decrease in unit sales compared to the prior-year quarter, when a delivery backlog caused by a plant fire was resolved. The US truck market remains weak, with tariff-related uncertainties and a freight recession continuing.

Volkswagen Truck & Bus (VWTB) recorded a 4 percent decrease in unit sales in Q3 CY2025. The slowdown in the Brazilian market is impacting VWTB, although South American markets such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru show trends of growth. VWTB increased unit sales by 3 percent in the first 9-months of 2025 due to a strong Q1.

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Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles has commenced delivery of the Tata Prima E.55S battery electric prime-mover to Enviiiro Wheels Mobility, a provider of commercial transport solutions for the power, mining, cement and steel sectors.

The first batch of the fleet was handed over today in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. The heavy-duty, zero-emission trucks will transport minerals and ores.

The Prima E.55S features an integrated e-axle and regenerative braking for range. The vehicle offers a range of up to 350 km on a charge. It includes a 3-speed Auto Shift transmission with an e-axle for efficiency and performance and dual gun fast charging capability.

Safety features include a Driver Monitoring System, Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Cruise Control, along with an Electronic Braking System and ADAS features. The Prima cabin includes a pneumatically suspended seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel to boost driver productivity.

Praveen Somani, Managing Director, Enviiiro Wheels Mobility and Director, Inland World Logistics, said, “As a young company committed to making logistics sustainable, the addition of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles’ advanced electric prime movers to our fleet marks a defining step towards decarbonised operations. With zero emissions, superior performance, and advanced safety and comfort features, the Prima E.55S is an ideal choice to support our customers’ net zero goals. Backed by Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles’ proven after-sales ecosystem, we are confident of building a future-ready fleet that sets new benchmarks in clean and efficient mineral and ore transportation.”

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, "We are delighted to deliver the first batch of Prima E.55S electric prime movers to Enviiiro Wheels Mobility. As the market leader in the trucks segment, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles is proud to lead India’s transition to sustainable freight with advanced solutions. These robustly engineered vehicles align closely with Enviiiro Wheels’ sustainability goals, advancing greener operations while delivering long-term value.”

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