Daimler truck and bus have been stocking Mercedes, Freightliner and Fuso vehicles since the 1970s and currently stock Mercedes and Fuso busses in Australia.

AEBS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems must be installed from 1 November 2023 for all new models of heavy vehicles. They must be installed in new buses already in circulation by 1 November 2024, and in new goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from 1 February 2025.

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead commented on the benefits of the AEBS system. "Daimler Truck and bus has long identified the major benefits of active safety features for our customers and the wider community and led the industry with its introduction across all classes with our Mercedes-Benz and Fuso," Whitehead said.

"We commend the move to mandate this critical technology, but also would encourage customers not to wait until then and instead demand AEBS on any truck or bus they buy from now on."

AEBS helps to avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles by using sensors to monitor the road ahead and perform emergency braking in the event the driver does not. Daimler Truck systems can even initiate a warning and brake when it detects moving pedestrians.

The first Dailmer product to come with the AEBS system was the Mercedes Actros in 2012 and Fuso become the first manufacturer to feature AEBS across light, medium and heavy-duty truck classes last year.

The Fuso Rosa is the only light bus to feature the AEBS and it currently comes as standard on all new Fuso’s. It comes with a slew of safety features including pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and an electronic stability program.

"It makes no sense to buy an electric truck with no active safety features when they are available on another model, even if you overlook all the other benefits of the eCanter," Mr Whitehead says.

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