Ticking all the boxes: The FUSO Canter Eco Hybrid offers a host of benefits to rider Sophie Dunkerley and her horse Royal Whiskers
With state-of-the-art hybrid power and a smooth and efficient DUONIC dual clutch automated transmission, Sophie Dunkerley’s new 7.5-tonner is also delivering a welcome improvement in fuel economy – it is already returning an average of 22mpg, around 20% better than the vehicle it has replaced.
“I’ve been using a horsebox trailer for the past 18 years,” she said. “I always wanted something with more living accommodation but most of the small truck conversions I’ve seen have an inherent problem – by the time the heavy bodywork is built, there’s not very much payload left for a pair of horses -, which can weigh around 500kg each – along with their tack, feed, water, diesel and everything else that’s required.”
Sophie’s Canter was supplied by Birmingham Mercedes-Benz Dealer Midlands Truck & Van – the German manufacturer’s franchised Network is additionally responsible for sales and support of the FUSO range. The chassis has a body-and-payload allowance of 5.0-tonnes, so that even with its spacious, fully-appointed body by specialist equine coachbuilder Equicruiser, of Alton, Hampshire, the vehicle can carry well over 2.5 tonnes, comfortably exceeding Sophie’s requirements.
The first diesel-electric truck to make economic as well as environmental sense, the Canter Eco Hybrid is powered by a 110 kW (150hp) diesel engine which works in parallel with a state-of-the-art 40 kW (54hp) electric motor – this is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack which is covered by a 10-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
From stationary the vehicle uses electric power only, then switches to a combination of diesel and electric operation once a speed of around 6 mph has been reached. Depending on the power demand, the electric motor also supports the diesel at higher speeds; mode switching is seamless, requiring no input from the driver. To optimise fuel-saving an Idle Start-Stop system is fitted as standard.
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