Mitsubishi Fuso will launch a demonstration of battery-swapping technology for electric trucks this month on public roads in Japan. The trial, conducted in Kyoto, will be managed by Yamato Transport, a courier service partner.
The test will feature Mitsubishi Fuso’s eCanter light-duty electric truck equipped with exchangeable battery modules from US-based Ample. The batteries will be swapped at Ample’s automated exchange stations, with each swap taking approximately five minutes. Specific details about the batteries have not been disclosed.
The partnership, which began over a year ago, aims to evaluate customer satisfaction, scalability, and commercialization potential of the technology. Ample’s battery swap stations allow trucks to drive in and out, a design feature noted for its efficiency compared to other systems like Nio’s, which requires vehicles to park in reverse.
Ample, which is expanding its focus to include commercial vehicles, previously tested its technology with passenger and delivery vehicles in collaboration with Japanese energy company Eneos.
Mitsubishi Fuso anticipates that the battery-swapping solution will enhance its electrification offerings. The company plans to introduce a new battery-powered electric truck in addition to the eCanter. “This would enable MFTBC 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,” said a spokesperson.
The merger with Hino Motors in May 2023 is expected to bolster Mitsubishi Fuso’s efforts in commercial vehicle development and electrification. Daimler Truck and Toyota, co-owners of the brands, have invested in the newly formed holding company.
