Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has launched an initiative to swap electric vehicle batteries to reduce emissions in Japan.
This major initiative is part of an international collaboration aimed at supporting Japan's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The company, in partnership with Mitsubishi Motors, US startup Ample, and logistics company Yamato, plans to introduce electric vehicles with swappable batteries and establish fully automated swapping stations in Tokyo by September 2025.
The multi-year pilot program includes more than 150 commercial electric vehicles with battery swaps, 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, demonstrating the feasibility of battery swapping between different brands of commercial vehicles and taxis. Yamato Transportation, MFTBC, and the American company Ample, which specializes in battery swapping technology, participated in the experiment.
The Ample platform has proven its ability to work efficiently with multiple vehicle types and manufacturers, prompting the project to be expanded to include more vehicles and manufacturers.
In this context, MFTBC will provide its eCanter electric light-duty trucks, Mitsubishi Motors will offer its Kei Minicab compact electric vehicle, and Yamato Transportation will use these battery-swappable vehicles for last-mile delivery operations.
The initiative relies on an advanced battery-swapping infrastructure developed by Ample, which aims to reduce vehicle downtime while charging to just five minutes. The battery-swapping process is fully automated, eliminating the need for drivers to exit their vehicles.
This automation provides a practical solution that reduces the logistical and labor challenges typically associated with charging electric vehicles, especially in crowded urban areas like Tokyo.
The modular stations are designed to be compact and easy to deploy, making them suitable for densely populated cities and capable of serving 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 grid services, further contributing to reducing the carbon footprint.
The initiative seeks to attract more auto manufacturers, vehicle fleets, and logistics companies to expand its reach and enhance its impact in Japan's largest city.
