Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has initiated a public road demonstration of electric vehicle (EV) truck battery swapping in Kyoto, Japan. Using the electric light-duty eCanter truck, the collaboration involves Yamato Transport and Ample, focusing on assessing the practicality and scalability of this technology. This effort aims to expand the adoption of EV trucks by offering customers more flexibility and options for transitioning to carbon-neutral logistics.
Key Highlights:
- Public road demonstration in Kyoto using MFTBC’s eCanter trucks equipped with Ample’s swappable battery modules.
- Yamato Transport is testing battery swapping for collection and delivery operations.
- Ample’s fully automated stations swap batteries within five minutes, reducing vehicle downtime.
- The initiative seeks to identify benefits, challenges, and scalability for future practical use in Japan.
- MFTBC’s ambition is to drive EV truck expansion and offer a range of options comparable to conventional diesel trucks.
- The demonstration supports the commercialization of battery-swapping EV trucks, enhancing the possibilities for carbon-neutral logistics.
- Collaboration also focuses on developing a complete business model for battery-swapping trucks, including leasing solutions.
- Ample’s swapping stations are designed to serve both EV trucks and passenger cars, contributing to the spread of zero-emission vehicles.
Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. will trial the eCanter on public roads, focusing on collection and delivery operations. The batteries in these trucks will be swapped at Ample’s fully automated battery swapping stations in Kyoto City. These stations are designed to replace the truck’s batteries in under five minutes, significantly reducing vehicle downtime.
This demonstration marks an important step toward MFTBC’s goal of expanding EV truck adoption. Since the launch of the eCanter in 2017, MFTBC has been at the forefront of decarbonizing transportation, with its fleet accumulating over 12 million kilometers globally. The company now aims to commercialize battery-swapping EV trucks, providing customers with a broader range of options, comparable to those available for conventional diesel trucks.
The eCanter, launched in March 2023, offers selectable driving ranges with three battery sizes and 28 models in Japan, catering to various bodywork and applications. This flexibility, combined with the potential of battery swapping, could address concerns about driving range and downtime, thereby extending the applications of EV trucks.
Furthermore, the demonstration will explore the feasibility of a comprehensive business model for battery-swapping EV trucks, incorporating leasing options through FUSO Green Lease. This financial solution, provided by Daimler Truck Financial Service Asia, includes maintenance, insurance, and operational expertise, simplifying the transition to battery-swapping EV trucks for customers.
By collaborating on this project, MFTBC and its partners are also building the necessary operational experience to popularize fully automated battery swapping stations as a new energy infrastructure. These stations are designed to be versatile, capable of swapping batteries for both EV trucks and passenger cars, which is essential for reducing downtime and promoting zero-emission vehicles.
As the push for carbon neutrality intensifies, MFTBC remains committed to offering diverse solutions that help customers reduce CO2 emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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