In a new global milestone in overcoming charging and range issues, Japan has launched its first large-scale battery swapping network for vehicles.
The project to be operational later 2025 is aimed at commercial fleets and can complete battery swaps in five minutes
The idea is fully charged batteries can be implanted into trucks and vans and minimise downtime for commercial fleets.
The potential of the technology to have applications for passenger vehicles is still evolving but the efficiency of a commercial project such as the one n Japan may point the way.
The Tokyo project is a partnership between Ample, Mitsubishi Fuso, Mitsubishi Motors, and Yamato Transport and will begin with 150 electric trucks and vans at 14 battery swapping stations.
Ample’s technology enables battery swaps in under five minutes.
The EV report highlighted the barriers to transitioning commercial fleets to electric power including disruption and long charging times but technological, infrastructural, and operational coordination allowed companies to overcome this back on the road with minimum time loss.
Mitsubishi Fuso is using its eCanter trucks, specifically designed for heavy daily use,
Mitsubishi Motors supplies the compact Minicab-MiEV, ideal for efficient last-mile deliveries. Yamato Transport, Japan’s largest logistics provider, is pioneering the deployment, testing battery swapping under actual operational conditions.
“Ample’s battery swapping platform drastically reduces vehicle downtime, offering fleets rapid, flexible charging without changing operational routines. Each station can be rapidly installed, often in less than a week, without extensive infrastructure changes,” it noted
The project is Supported by the Tokyo government’s Technology Development Support Project for Promoting New Energy The project aligns with Japan’s target of a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.