Across urban logistics, regional distribution, municipal services, and commercial transport, 6–8 ton light-duty trucks are among the most widely used workhorses in many markets. Familiar platforms such as the Isuzu N-Series/NPR, FUSO Canter, Hino 300/Dutro, and Tata LPT series have built strong market positions thanks to their simple chassis, practical payload capacity, and suitability for daily fleet operations. FUSO alone has produced more than 4.5 million Canter trucks worldwide, while Isuzu reports approximately 310,000 commercial vehicles sold globally in fiscal 2025, demonstrating the enormous installed base of commercial vehicles that could potentially become candidates for electrification.

For fleet operators, this large installed base represents more than transportation capacity—it represents an opportunity. Many trucks already have reliable chassis, bodies, and established maintenance networks, making powertrain conversion a potential alternative to purchasing entirely new electric trucks. For vehicles that operate predictable routes, return to a central depot, and accumulate high daily mileage, replacing the diesel powertrain with an electric system can reduce energy and maintenance costs while extending the service life of the existing vehicle.

In this case study, we use an 8-ton-class light-duty truck as a practical example to demonstrate how a conventional diesel truck can be converted into a fully electric vehicle. We will examine the motor, battery, drivetrain configuration, performance, range, charging requirements, and operating economics—and show why electrifying an existing truck fleet can be both a technical upgrade and a long-term business opportunity.