Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus will reportedly halt all production and sales of internal combustion engine-powered vehicles in the late 2030s. According to a report by Nikkei, the move will allow Fuso to shift its focus to electric or hydrogen-fueled trucks and buses.
With this move, Fuso has become the first Japanese commercial vehicle company to commit to phasing out combustion engines in favor of electric and hydrogen motor technology.
Japan has been lagging in electric vehicle (EV) development in recent years, especially when compared to China and Europe. The Japanese government has announced plans to electrify all light trucks by 2040, and Fuso aims to follow that directive.
The first order of business is increasing its output of EVs and fuel cell vehicles to more than 30% of its lineup by 2030. Thereafter, Fuso will steadily decrease its reliance on combustion engines before completing the transition by 2040.
Fuso will be partnering with another reputable truck maker to achieve its lofty ambitions. Daimler Trucks, which recently split from Mercedes-Benz, has electric dreams of its own. The German company will help Fuso develop EV drive units and procure batteries for upcoming models.
Fuso's first mass-produced electric truck will reportedly go on sale after 2022, while its first hydrogen truck will reach the market after 2027. Fuso has launched an EV truck before, but it has not been well received, only selling about 300 units in nearly five years.
As Japan's third-largest truck manufacturer, Fuso is well-positioned to take control of the fledgling zero-emission truck market. The company currently sells about 100,000 vehicles per year. Its presence spans many markets, including the Philippines.
With Fuso going all-in on electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, we'll likely see these future models pop up on our roads down the line. A lot has to happen before that, but we're cautiously optimistic about the prospects of Fuso EVs and fuel cell vehicles in the local market.
