Fuso NZ’s sustained commitment to EV integration

Fuso New Zealand has led from the front in its support of Kiwi transport operators looking to make the transition to EV fleet integration – and in facilitating real progress towards the Government’s goal of 30% zero-emission light to heavy duty vehicle sales by 2030.

This significant target is the first stepping stone towards the Government’s international commitment of net zero emissions by 2050.

Acknowledging this transition as being the biggest shift in commercial transport since the internal combustion engine replaced horses and carts, FNZ recognised from the outset that even to reach that first stepping stone would require sustained leadership and support – as well as supply of world-proven vehicles.

As distributors of the world’s first series-produced electric light truck, and under its mantra of ‘We look after our own’, FNZ has delivered on both of these requirements – and continues to do so for its customers and on behalf of the wider sector.

Here are some of the milestones achieved so far:

2017

• FUSO eCanter becomes the world’s first fully electric truck to go into series production.
• 1,000,000km of real-world testing begins.

2018

• FNZ takes commercial transport sector journalists to test-drive eCanter in Japan. 
• FNZ secures eCanter stock for New Zealand amid strong global demand.

2019

• New Zealand’s first FUSO eCanter trucks arrive in Auckland. 

2020

• FNZ secures subsidies for six FUSO eCanters from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s Low Emission Vehicle Contestable Fund. Commenting on the subsidies, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods notes that “demonstrating and proving the potential for electric heavy vehicles is important, as heavy freight has an outsized impact on transport emissions”.
• FNZ takes eCanter to Parliament, where it is test driven by then Associate Minister for Transport Julie Anne Genter and National spokesperson for transport Chris Bishop. Genter said having “last mile” options such as the eCanter will play an important role in achieving emission reductions from the transport sector. 
• Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Co. chooses the Waiheke Island ‘Electric Island’ initiative to promote eCanter and highlight NZ’s readiness and suitability for EV integration.

2021

• Five subsidised eCanter electric trucks are deployed in Auckland Transport’s Queen Street Valley Zero Emissions Area trial – the first of its kind in New Zealand – featuring Mainfreight, Bidfood, Team Global Express, Owens Transport and Vector OnGas. Mayor at the time, Phil Goff, said: “The shift towards emissions-free vehicles is a critical step towards meeting our climate change goals. This trial will complement emissions-reduction work already underway by Auckland Council and Auckland Transport.”
• FNZ continues to engage with the Government for further operator subsidies.

2022

• Fuso New Zealand hosts ‘Partnering for a Sustainable Transport Supply Chain’ conference at Te Papa in Wellington. Representatives from government, energy providers, logistics companies and fleet operators gather to discuss the challenges and solutions in the bigger picture surrounding NZ’s move towards 30% zero emission transport by 2030. 
• Nine FUSO eCanter trucks launched in two emission-reduction projects from Christchurch City Council (CCC) and co-funded by EECA. These include chiller bodies for fresh food distribution, curtainsiders for express freight delivery, and a range of flat deck and utility configurations for civil infrastructure, maintenance work and traffic management. CCC Resource Efficiency Manager Kevin Crutchley said the projects would provide invaluable learnings for the Council and participating business, as well as for other local councils and the wider transport and civil contracting industries. 
• Fuso New Zealand general manager Kevin Smith attends the Christchurch launch, commenting: “It has been Fuso New Zealand’s pleasure to work closely from day one with Christchurch City Council to formulate these two projects, and to collaborate with participating businesses and bodybuilders, as well as EROAD and Mercury NZ.”
• FNZ and Keith Andrews organise special event for the Local Government NZ Conference in Palmerston North, taking the FUSO eCanter and sustainability message to regional government mayors, councillors and executives.
• Dr Megan Woods undertakes high-level tour of FUSO’s zero emission truck and bus program at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Japan.

2023

• FNZ urges Minister of Transport Michael Wood to give serious consideration to the implementation of a Clean Commercial Vehicle rebate.
• FNZ launches its own $80k eCanter rebate offer to support transport operators in reducing their fleet emissions.