Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has begun clinical trials of its light-duty electric truck, eCanter, in India. A subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, the global leader in truck manufacturing, DICV had earlier announced plans to launch the eCanter on Indian roads within the next 6-12 months.

The third-generation eCanter will be locally assembled to target the e-commerce logistics segment. This launch marks BharatBenz’s entry into the 3.5 to 7.5-tonne truck segment, a market the company had remained absent to date, according to an official statement.

Globally, Daimler Trucks has sold over 2,500 eCanters, which have collectively logged more than 8 million kms. The eCanter, based on the Mitsubishi Fuso platform, is currently assembled in Japan and Europe. India will become the third major market to locally assemble the vehicle.

PM E-Drive scheme 

Meanwhile, Satyakam Arya, MD & CEO of DICV, stated that the PM E-Drive scheme have the potential to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. This scheme incentivises scrapping older trucks and promotes fleet modernisation, creating a conducive environment for electric vehicles. Arya also said that expanding charging infrastructure under the scheme will play a crucial role in driving the adoption of electric trucks.

The PM E-Drive initiative presents significant opportunities for the commercial vehicle sector. It supports the transition to clean, efficient, and technologically advanced transportation solutions, paving the way for a greener future, Arya stated.

The ₹10,900 crore PM E-Drive scheme, launched on October 1, aims to boost electric vehicle adoption and develop charging infrastructure. It will run until March 31, 2026, replacing the ₹11,500 crore FAME II initiative, which concluded earlier this year.