Urban distribution and last-mile delivery are placing increasingly specific demands on battery-electric light-duty trucks. Vehicles need to accommodate routes of varying distances, frequent stop-and-go operations, and the management requirements that come with larger-scale fleet operations. At IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026, FOTON showcased the battery-electric DAYSTAR light-duty truck in Hannover. Built on a dedicated electric light-duty truck platform, DAYSTAR integrates driving range, energy efficiency, ergonomics and digital fleet management into the overall vehicle development process. This approach extends FOTON’s focus on urban distribution efficiency beyond individual vehicle performance toward closer coordination between the vehicle and daily operations, helping customers improve efficiency across vehicles, drivers and fleet management.
Up to 600 km of driving range, with configurations tailored to different routes.
Different delivery routes have different requirements for driving range and battery capacity. DAYSTAR offers multiple battery options ranging from 100 to 171 kWh, with a maximum driving range of up to 600 km. A low drag coefficient of 0.36, combined with an efficient MCU + SiC integrated oil-cooled electric drive system, further improves energy efficiency.
Multiple battery capacity options allow vehicles to be configured more closely around specific operating tasks, rather than relying solely on larger batteries to extend driving range. This enables a single battery-electric platform to support a wider variety of delivery routes, while giving FOTON greater flexibility to tailor its product portfolio to different markets and operational requirements.
470 mm Low Step, Designed for Greater Efficiency at Every Stop
In urban delivery operations with frequent stops, drivers get in and out of the cab repeatedly throughout the day. DAYSTAR offers both one-step and two-step entry options, with the one-step configuration providing a loaded step height of just 470 mm. The cab also provides space for both standing and resting, helping create a more convenient working environment for frequent delivery operations.
When ergonomic design is integrated into urban delivery operations, improving efficiency is no longer just about driving range and energy consumption. DAYSTAR’s low-step entry and spacious cab design help reduce the physical strain of frequent entry, exit and movement inside the cab. At the same time, these thoughtful design improvements extend FOTON’s new-energy light-duty truck technology beyond the vehicle itself to the people who use it every day, making technological progress more relevant to real-world delivery operations.
From Individual Vehicles to Fleets, Bringing Digitalization into Operations
When battery-electric light-duty trucks are deployed at fleet scale, operational efficiency also depends on effective vehicle management. DAYSTAR features a new-generation electrical and electronic architecture that supports integrated driver assistance, remote vehicle control, and digital fleet management. These digital capabilities extend beyond individual vehicle functions to fleet-wide operations, helping improve vehicle utilization and management efficiency across larger fleets.
From route adaptability and driver operations to fleet management, DAYSTAR further strengthens FOTON’s ability to adapt its products and provide operational support for different markets and use cases. Looking ahead to global markets, FOTON will continue to advance localized product development and integrate new-energy and intelligent technologies into light commercial vehicle operations, supporting the long-term development of its global business.