Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has entered the Indian battery electric market with the launch of the next generation all-electric eCanter. The market launch of the all-electric eCanter in India marks the company's first step towards decarbonising its entire product portfolio in the long term. The all-electric eCanter, which marks DICV's debut in the light truck segment in India, will be launched in the market within the next 6 to 12 months.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said : “All our efforts are focused on achieving a strong preparation for our future products that will feature CO2 neutral propulsion technologies in the long term. The launch of the all-electric eCanter in India, within the next 6 to 12 months, is the first step in our long-term carbon decarbonisation strategy Our entire product portfolio, however, is that ICE and CO2 neutral diesel propulsion technologies will continue to coexist in the Indian market for the foreseeable future and a long-term plan like ours depends on many complex external factors, some of which are the availability of charging infrastructure refueling, green energy availability, cost parity, and widespread customer acceptance Therefore, our primary focus with eCanter is to achieve product and service excellence, along with customer acceptance. Over the next two decades, we will have a solid foundation with zero carbon transportation solutions and move forward to become a leader in sustainable transportation in India. Over the years. The company's roadmap for CO2-neutral propulsion technology is being prepared in line with Daimler Truck's global technology strategy with hydrogen and electric battery-based propulsion technologies. DICV has already developed a hydrogen fuel cell concept bus from BharatBenz in partnership with a major Indian conglomerate. In the future, DICV will offer trucks in various utility sectors serving long haul, mining, construction, POL, dump trucks, RMC, etc., for different cargo and terrain requirements.

“LNG, if Ultimately, it will be a temporary, tactical solution for long-distance transportation. We will stick primarily to hydrogen-based and battery-electric propulsion technologies across our future product range. One thing is certain, we will be ready with the right vehicles when the market is ready.

All-electric eCanter for India undergoes advanced testing The battery electric platform originated in Japan, where serial production of the first generation eCanter began in 2017. The all-new eCanter NextGeneration made its world premiere in Japan and Europe in the second half of the year. 2022. Since its first launch in 2017, the eCanter has been sold in the hundreds in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. The proven next generation eCanter will have a significant presence in key markets around the world with 100 different models.

The CO2 neutral propulsion technology market in India is still in its nascent stage and hence, has enormous scope in India. the future. long-term. India is also a world-renowned R&D base and will continue to grow as a product development hub in the future with the introduction of new technologies. However, India needs strong and enabling policies and market environment to compete with the world in the future.

Commenting on the importance of an enabling policy framework to ensure economic viability for customers, Arya added: “Successful adoption of CO2 neutral vehicles is possible if there is widespread consumer acceptance of changes in TCO equations. This underscores the impact of factors that are important for success in sustainable mobility solutions and by foraying into CO2 neutral propulsion technologies, DICV aims to contribute to India's future as it moves towards becoming one of the world's top five commercial vehicle markets.