Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) made significant strides in 2024 toward decarbonising the commercial vehicle industry.
MFTBC Drives Towards Carbon-Neutral Transportation
A key milestone was the 23 per cent year-on-year increase in domestic sales of its all-electric light-duty eCanter. This growth contributed to Daimler Truck Group’s total electric vehicle sales reaching 4,035 units, a 17 per cent rise from the previous year. The eCanter also expanded into new markets, including Hong Kong, Turkey, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Singapore, bringing its availability to 38 markets worldwide. Since its 2017 launch as Japan’s first series-produced all-electric truck, more than 3,800 units have been deployed globally, covering more than 12 million kilometers in customer operations.
Beyond vehicle sales, MFTBC is committed to decarbonising production across all manufacturing sites by the end of 2025, aligning with Daimler Truck’s sustainability goals. The company has also accelerated its carbon-neutral initiatives through strategic collaborations. In partnership with Ample Inc., MFTBC has been testing battery-swapping technology for electric trucks. A four-month trial in Kyoto with Yamato Transport and Eneos Holdings evaluated how battery swapping could enhance uptime for electric trucks in the logistics sector. In addition, the company announced a partnership with Daihen Corporation and Mitsubishi Research Institute to explore wireless charging for electric trucks, a project supported by Japan’s Ministry of Environment.
In June, MFTBC joined Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors to establish Evnion Inc., which launched the Evnion Place platform in October to support EV adoption.
In December, MFTBC signed a partnership with Yamanashi University to advance hydrogen and fuel cell research, reinforcing their shared commitment to Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal.
MFTBC is also addressing battery lifecycle management. Under its Battery Second Life initiative with Connexx Systems, used eCanter batteries are being repurposed into energy storage systems with EV chargers. Demonstrations began in Kyoto in early 2025, with further testing planned at MFTBC’s Kawasaki plant. The company has also teamed up with True 2 Materials Pte Ltd in Singapore to recover valuable materials from used EV batteries. A demonstration facility for this project will be installed at MFTBC’s Kawasaki plant by the end of 2025.
To support Japan’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, MFTBC operates under three pillars: Product, Customer, and Infrastructure. It aims to develop more zero-emission vehicles while working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure customer readiness and infrastructure availability. CEO Karl Deppen emphasised the urgency of expanding charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, stating that collaboration between government agencies, infrastructure providers, and vehicle manufacturers is essential to making carbon-neutral transportation viable.
MFTBC’s ongoing initiatives reflect its long-term commitment to sustainability, positioning it as a leader in the transition to cleaner commercial transportation.
