Tokyo is going electric and fast. This fall, a new wave of commercial EVs will hit the streets, powered by a first-of-its-kind battery swapping network built through deep collaboration between Mitsubishi Fuso, Mitsubishi Motors, Yamato Transport, Ample, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Together, these partners are launching Japan’s first large-scale EV battery swapping initiative tailored for commercial fleets. The Japan Commercial EV Battery Swapping Project will begin with 150 electric trucks and vans operating across Tokyo, supported by 14 battery swapping stations strategically located to cover key delivery routes. This joint effort marks a significant step toward enabling scalable electrification in dense urban environments.
This initiative builds on a grant provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government through its Technology Development Support Project for Promoting New Energy. With aligned efforts from leading OEMs, logistics providers, and clean energy innovators, Tokyo is on track to become a model for rapid, sustainable commercial fleet electrification.
What It Takes to Electrify a Commercial Fleet
Going electric at scale means solving for more than just the vehicle. It takes technology, infrastructure, and operational alignment across every player in the value chain. That’s exactly what’s happening in Tokyo.
- Mitsubishi Fuso is supplying its eCanter trucks, designed for daily commercial use.
- Mitsubishi Motors is contributing the agile Minicab-MiEV for last-mile deliveries.
- Yamato Transport, Japan’s largest logistics company, is operating the first swappable EV fleet in daily commercial conditions.
- Ample’s modular battery swapping technology is delivering a full charge in under five minutes.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s support is enabling rapid infrastructure deployment aligned with Japan’s climate goals.
This effort allows fleet vehicles to get a full charge in under five minutes. There is no new behavior, no extended downtime, just fast, clean energy – ready when and where fleets need it. Ample’s stations are compact and quick to deploy, often in under a week, with no heavy infrastructure required.
By working together, this project is directly contributing to Japan’s national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030. Electrifying transportation, especially commercial fleets, is a critical part of reaching that target.
A Network Built for Growth
As Tokyo’s network goes live, interest is growing. Battery swapping is proving to be a viable path for commercial EV adoption in Japan, and more partners are invited to join.
The system is open to new OEMs, logistics providers, and fleet operators looking to accelerate their transition to zero-emission transportation. If you’re interested in implementing battery swapping in your fleet, contact fleets@ample.com.
