EV Battery Swapping Tie-Up Between Ample And Mitsubishi To Start In Japan
As part of its efforts to speed up the electrification of commercial fleets, Ample, a manufacturer of modular battery-swapping technology, plans to install a network of battery-swapping stations in Tokyo.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation is supporting the idea, which comes in the footsteps of a successful demonstration in Kyoto. Utilising its cutting-edge battery-swapping technologies, Ample hopes to improve commercial EV charging infrastructure and support Tokyo's aggressive goal of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Ample's modular battery-swapping system is an efficient alternative to traditional EV charging infrastructure. Its proprietary technology allows its batteries to be swapped over in just five minutes for as little as $13.00. Ample system can replace existing EV batteries, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of models. Its compact stations, which can be deployed within days, provide a practical solution for businesses transitioning to electric fleets without major operational disruptions.
Ample is collaborating with two major Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), to help roll out battery-swapping EVs.
MMC, a pioneer in mass-produced EVs, and MFTBC, known for its production in zero-emission commercial vehicles, are contributing their industry knowledge to the project. Their goal is to give Tokyo's business fleets a smooth, scalable charging option by using Ample's modular switching technology with trucks and cars.
Japan may lead the world in the production of automobiles, but in highly populated cities like Tokyo and Osaka, the adoption of EVs has been hindered by long charging times, power limits, and space constraints.
Conventional charging stations are less practical for commercial fleets with high usage since they require a significant amount of infrastructure and time. By allowing a fully charged battery replacement in only five minutes, Ample's battery-swapping technology offers a solution that equals the speed and ease of filling at a gasoline station.
Through a strategic deployment in Kyoto, Ample partnered with MFTBC and energy company ENEOS Holdings to reach the Japanese market in early 2024. The benefits of modular battery swapping were effectively illustrated by this pilot experiment, including rapid energy replenishment, reduced strain on the electrical grid and seamless integration into fleet operations.
After a successful result, the expansion to Tokyo will create a larger network of switching stations, each of which can accommodate over 100 vehicles. In turn, this move is expected to greatly accelerate the adoption of electric commercial fleets in Japan.
Ample CEO Khaled Hassounah, said this expansion highlighted the significance of Tokyo as a strategic location for scaling the company's presence in Japan. '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.'
While the technology at the moment targets commercial vehicles, many potential EV buyers will be watching eagerly as this partnership develops its capacity to cater to private electric cars as well.
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