Japan.. Mitsubishi revolutionizes electric transportati…

This major initiative comes within international cooperation aimed at supporting Japan’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The company, in cooperation with Mitsubishi Motors, the American start-up Ample, and Yamato Logistics Company, plans to introduce electric vehicles equipped with interchangeable batteries, and establish fully automated switching stations in Tokyo by September 2025.

The pilot program, which will last several years, includes more than 150 commercial electric vehicles with battery swappability, in addition to the establishment of 14 standard swapping stations in densely populated areas of the city.

The initiative previously conducted a pilot test in 2024 in Kyoto that demonstrated the feasibility of replacing batteries between different brands of commercial vehicles and taxis. Yamato Transport Company, MFTBC, and the American company Ample, which specializes in battery replacement technology, participated in this experiment.

The Ample platform has proven its ability to work efficiently with multiple types of vehicles and manufacturers, which prompted the expansion of the project to include a larger number of vehicles and manufacturers.

In this context, MFTBC will provide its eCanter light electric trucks, while Mitsubishi Motors will provide its Kei Minicab electric compact car, while Yamato Transport will use these battery-swappable vehicles for last-mile deliveries.

The initiative relies on an advanced battery replacement infrastructure, developed by Ample, that aims to reduce the idling time of vehicles while charging batteries to just 5 minutes. The battery replacement process is completely automated, eliminating the need for drivers to get out of their vehicles.

This automation provides a practical solution that reduces the logistical and labor challenges typically associated with charging electric vehicles, especially in congested urban areas such as Tokyo.

The modular stations are designed to be compact and easy to deploy, making them suitable for densely populated cities, with the potential to serve a wider range of users, beyond just electric vehicle owners.

Future battery swap stations may play a role in storing renewable energy and providing additional network services, which will enhance their contribution to reducing the carbon footprint.

The initiative seeks to attract more car manufacturers, vehicle fleets and logistics companies, to expand its reach and enhance its influence in Japan’s largest city.

Source: interestingengineering