New Class 4-5 Electric Rizon: Revolutionizing Last-Mile Delivery
The Daimler family has recently launched the Rizon electric medium-duty truck (Class 4-5) in our market, featuring all the necessary characteristics to establish itself within commercial and municipal fleets.
In an era where, against all odds, everything points toward transport electrification, the Rizon truck covers the market segment known as "the last mile" in industry jargon. We're talking about a lighter commercial vehicle whose range well suits urban delivery uses.
"Rizon's commercialization will first focus on major urban centres," confirms Jean Rivest, Electric Truck Sales Representative for the Globocam dealership network. "Recently available in Canada and recording promising sales on the West Coast, the Rizon has completed its first road tests in Quebec and is now available for test drives at Globocam."
Building on its successful Japanese counterpart, this North American model offers enhanced capabilities. The efficient and compact design of the "eAxle" combines the electric motor, transmission, and axle into a single unit — reducing both the number of required parts and necessary maintenance. Engineered from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the Rizon's cab combines panoramic visibility with driver-focused ergonomics. The purpose-built EV platform features strategic battery placement that maximizes chassis space, offering an obstacle-free frame that can be easily upfitted to meet specific customer requirements.
Its range is conservatively estimated between 120 to 200 kilometers on a full charge, depending on the chosen configuration. The Rizon's chassis can accommodate a variety of equipment to meet numerous needs, including dry van bodies, refrigerated boxes, flatbeds, tank trucks, and dump bodies with large storage compartments, ideal for landscapers or municipal services.
A capable truck
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of this truck ranges from 15,995 pounds (7,255 kg) to 18,850 pounds (8,530 kg). It comes with two or three lithium-ion batteries, with battery configurations of 82 kWh or 124 kWh available. Worth noting is that the vehicle benefits from regenerative braking technology, injecting electricity back into the batteries during each deceleration. This feature is particularly valuable given that the truck is intended for urban use, where stops and slowdowns are common.
Regarding charging times, the manufacturer indicates on their website that it's possible to charge the batteries from zero to 100% on the 18 L model (the most powerful with three batteries) in 76 minutes using a 104 kW DC charger and in six hours with a 19.6 kW AC charger. Recent winter trials with a Quebec carrier showed the Rizon's exceptional fast-charging performance for its class. The vehicle has integrated power management mechanisms that protect the battery. It's also worth noting that the manufacturer offers an eight-year warranty for its batteries.
"It's a very versatile truck, durable, and very pleasant to operate," says Rivest, who speaks from experience, having been a long-haul trucker for 23 years before transitioning to truck sales. "The cab is really comfortable, and the quietness is striking. The Rizon also comes with a wide variety of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard equipment, such as Active Side Assist (ASA), Active Brake Assist (ABA), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). The lower deck height makes a huge difference for loading — delivery drivers are really going to appreciate that feature."
Vehicles destined for Quebec will include equipment suitable for winter operation. For example, they will be equipped with heated seats and a heated steering wheel. As our expert indicates, it's more logical to heat the seat than the entire cab, where warm air escapes through the door at each stop during deliveries or pickups.
Still relevant?
This vehicle arrives on the Canadian market at a time when many fleet managers have committed to decarbonizing their operations. Municipalities, transport companies, and public service providers are gradually introducing electric or zero-emission vehicles into their fleets. Although the Écocamionnage program has been paused, the decarbonization of heavy transport remains among the government's priorities. A new version of the program is expected this spring. Environmental commitment, especially for private companies, cannot come at the expense of profitability.
"The electric option is viable in certain applications," says Rivest. "Today, it makes no sense to deliver cases of vegetables in the city with a 45-foot diesel truck! A fleet manager with precise figures on usage and service routes can easily identify where using an electric truck is a logical and profitable alternative."
Globocam, which has ten dealerships, distributes and offers service and parts for the Rizon in Quebec and Eastern Ontario. Their team can support fleet managers who need assistance integrating electric vehicles into their fleet. They help fleet managers answer critical questions like which truck model best suits their needs, how to optimize delivery routes, and where to strategically place charging infrastructure?
"We have a Class 4-5, 100% electric truck with a load capacity and range that corresponds to many users' needs in Quebec," Rivest concludes. "There's growing pressure in our cities to reduce emissions from transportation and public services, so the Rizon arrives at exactly the right time."
