Now here’s something different that FleetWatch bets many haven’t thought of. With Mitsubishi Fuso’s eCanter light-duty electric truck now being trialled on South African roads, the spotlight is firmly on the safety standards that will support the shift to cleaner transport. Electric vehicles bring new challenges for operators and technicians, and Mitsubishi Fuso now offers innovative personal protective equipment (PPE) as vital as the e-trucks themselves.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), together with Midori Anzen and GORE Japan, has developed the world’s first personal protective equipment designed specifically for EV operations. Called ARCTECT GEAR for EV, the kit is built for technicians who need to work directly on high-voltage systems – a space where conventional overalls and gloves simply don’t cut it.
The wires just got hotter
“Expanding into EV safety was the natural next step,” says Karl Deppen, President and CEO of MFTBC. “Maintenance and related tasks for EVs require a different approach compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines. High-voltage systems introduce potential hazards such as electric shock and arc flash, making it essential for technicians working directly on these systems to have both specialised training and PPE specifically created for high-voltage environments.”
The new PPE has been engineered to balance safety with comfort. Drawing on Midori Anzen’s 70 years of safety equipment development and GORE Japan’s PYRAD Fabrics by GORE-TEX LABS, the garment provides certified arc flash protection up to 1,500 VDC and 1,000 VAC while remaining lightweight, breathable and flexible enough for tight workshop spaces.
MFTBC plans to introduce ARCTECT GEAR for EV at selected overseas service centres in 2026, with Midori Anzen launching corporate sales of similar products at the same time. The move forms part of Fuso’s wider electrification drive, which has already produced Japan’s first mass-produced light-duty EV truck.
Editor’s Comment
Trucking is entering a new age. As the eCanter and other electric models roll out, we need to rethink not just the vehicles but the skills and safety measures around them. High-voltage systems demand precision and the right gear – it’s no place for shortcuts. FleetWatch applauds MFTBC and its partners for taking PPE into the EV era. This is exactly the kind of forward thinking that will keep mechanics safe while keeping South Africa’s roads moving.
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