US-based battery swap startup Ample announced plans to deploy a network of battery swapping stations in Tokyo, partnering with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to support the city’s push for commercial fleet electrification.
The initiative aims to enhance logistics efficiency while contributing to Tokyo’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The project is backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation.
See also: Ample Secures $25 Million to Scale EV Battery Swapping Technology for Fleets
“Tokyo is one of the world’s most advanced cities in sustainable urban development and one of the largest markets for commercial deliveries, making it the perfect place for our next deployments as we expand our presence in Japan,” said Ample CEO Khaled Hassounah. “By providing a fast and scalable solution for commercial fleets, we’re helping the City of Tokyo set an example for how densely populated cities can electrify.”
The collaboration follows a 2023 trial in Kyoto, where Ample and MFTBC fitted a Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter light-duty truck with swappable batteries. While Ample has not disclosed the total number of vehicles that will be equipped with the technology, it stated that each battery swapping station can support “over 100 vehicles.”
See also: Mitsubishi Electric to Ship Silicon Carbide MOSFET Samples for EV Applications
Ample’s latest swapping station design, introduced in 2023, allows electric vehicles to drive in from one side and exit from the other, streamlining operations for commercial fleets. The company claims its system can complete a battery swap in just five minutes, offering a rapid alternative to traditional charging.