In collaboration with Ample, ENEOS, and Yamato Transport, Mitsubishi begins the demonstration in Kyoto in August 2024.
Mitsubishi eCanter Trucks Are Being Used in the Demonstration
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (Mitsubishi) will start an EV truck battery-swapping demonstration on public roads in Kyoto, Japan in August 2024.
Mitsubishi‘s electric light-duty eCanter trucks, equipped with Ample’s swappable battery modules, are being used for the demonstration. eCanter’s batteries will be swapped at Ample’s battery swapping stations deployed in Kyoto City in collaboration with ENEOS. Yamato Transport will conduct the eCanter battery-swapping trial on public roads for collection and delivery operations in Kyoto City.
How the Battery-Swapping Works
When the eCanter enters the Ample fully-automated swapping station, robots automatically exchange batteries within the target time of five minutes. This technique was previously demonstrated to the public at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023 and now Mitsubishi takes the next step in bringing this technology to public roads. From observing these operations, Mitsubishi and the other participating companies will identify the benefits and challenges of battery swapping and investigate the scalability of the technology with future practical use in Japan in mind.
For Mitsubishi, this joint demonstration is an important step towards the company’s ambition to drive EV truck expansion. Since launching the eCanter in 2017 as the first series-produced all-electric vehicle in the LDT segment, Mitsubishi has taken the lead in decarbonizing transportation.
In addition to offering the existing eCanter, which has already accumulated over 12 million kilometres of mileage in customer’s hands worldwide, Mitsubishi aims to commercialise a battery-swapping EV truck.
“This would enable Mitsubishi to offer even more customers the chance to transition to carbon-neutral logistics by providing a range of options comparable to that available for conventional diesel light-duty trucks,” the company wrote in an official statement.
Expanding the Possibilities
Launched in March 2023, Mitsubishi eCanter‘s new model is characterized by its selectable driving ranges with three battery sizes and 28 models in Japan that can accommodate a variety of bodywork and applications, offering customers the value unique to EV trucks, such as zero emissions, low vibration, comfort, and quietness.
Having battery-swapping EV trucks would further expand the possibilities of EV trucks, by addressing worries about driving ranges, extending applications, and significantly shortening the downtime of vehicles. In addition, by introducing the latest swappable batteries as technology evolves, users can always have access to the most up-to-date battery technology.
Furthermore, this verification will also study a complete business model for battery-swapping EV trucks with the leasing product for eCanter Fuso Green Lease, provided by Daimler Truck Asia. Fuso Green Lease provides a comprehensive financial solution that includes maintenance, insurance, a unified contract between parties, operational expertise with truck registration, and a monthly invoicing mechanism.
Additionally, the companies are also collaborating in accumulating the operational experience necessary to popularize fully automated battery-swapping stations for EVs as a new energy infrastructure. Ample’s fully automated battery swapping stations are fitted with the capability of swapping batteries not only for EV trucks but also for passenger cars. The fully automated swapping stations are a viable solution to reduce downtime for the customer and spread zero-emission vehicles, which is critical to building a decarbonized society.
As the need for action to realize carbon neutrality grows stronger, Mitsubishi remains fully committed to providing customers with diverse options to reduce CO₂ emissions.
