Designed at Daimler’s Global Hybrid Centre in Japan, the new EcoHybrid is true to the manufacturer’s “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative, which seeks to make the zero-emission commercial vehicles of tomorrow, a reality today.

The product of many thousands of hours of research and development, the EcoHybrid features a Euro V-compliant 148bhp diesel engine which operates in parallel with a state-of-the-art, slimline, 54bhp electric motor installed between the clutch and Duonic two-pedal automated manual transmission.

Its lithium-ion batteries are backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty to ensure an affordable ‘green’ solution, while service costs are comparable to a standard, diesel-engined Canter, demonstrated by identical Repair & Maintenance contract prices. Efficiency is boosted by a recuperation system which acts as a re-charging generator, transforming braking and deceleration energy back into useable electricity.

In 2008 Fuso entered a three-year, London-based Hybrid trial, the largest in Europe, with partners Amey, DHL, Hill Hire, Royal Mail, Ringway, Scottish & Southern, Tesco and TNT. These trial vehicles, based on the previous generation Canter (TD model), were fitted with a variety of body types and daily workloads varied, but the operators reported fuel savings of up to 16%.

Sam Whittaker, director of Truck Sales & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz UK, said: 'The London trial was a great success for Fuso. As a result of intensive vehicle monitoring we learnt a great deal not only about the technology, but also about our customers’ needs and expectations. The trial demonstrated, in real-life, everyday conditions, the fuel savings and environmental improvements that can be achieved.

'We’re delighted that as a direct result of the work which was done here in the UK, and of the data generated by our valued customers, we’re now able to offer a factory-built EcoHybrid Fuso Canter at an affordable and competitive price.'

The EcoHybrid, as all Fuso Canter models, will be sold and supported in the UK by the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle dealer network. The compact, manoeuvrable and bodybuilder-friendly chassis cab offers an impressive and class leading payload, even with the EcoHybrid technology on-board.