An international consortium consisting of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors, Ample Inc. and Yamato Transport has announced the launch of an ambitious battery swap pilot program for commercial electric vehicles commercial vehicles, which will begin in September 2025 in the city of Tokyo.
Battery exchange and strategic collaboration
This project envisages the deployment of more than 150 commercial electric vehicles with interchangeable batteries and the installation of 14 modular swap stations. Among the models that will participate are MFTBC’s eCanter light truck and Mitsubishi Motors’ Minicab EV. These units are designed for intensive service of logistics fleets, with a special focus on last-mile distribution.
The initiative is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Corporation under the Emerging Energy Technologies Support Program. Its goal is to accelerate the decarbonization of transportation, which is responsible for 19% of the country’s CO₂ emissions. The project aligns with the national plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Automated technology and operational efficiency
The exchange system developed by Ample makes it possible to replace the discharged battery with a fully charged one in just five minutes, without the need for the driver to get out of the vehicle. These compact and quick to install, these stations These compact and quick-to-install stations meet the requirements of high-turnover urban fleets, offering an efficient alternative to conventional charging.
Previous experience in Kyoto in 2024, where battery-swappable delivery vehicles and cabs were deployed, demonstrated the technical feasibility of the system. Now, with the addition of Mitsubishi Motors to the group, the Tokyo project seeks to consolidate a flexible, automated and scalable electric mobility ecosystem.
The consortium has indicated that this pilot phase is open to the incorporation of other automotive brands, logistics operators and fleet managers. The interoperability of Ample’s technology platform enables the integration of various types of vehicles, which could accelerate the transition to emission-free urban logistics.
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Source and photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
