Fast charging takes time that some drivers just don’t have. Battery swapping for EVs is coming to Tokyo this year. Starting in September 2025, a new project will roll out more than 150 commercial electric vehicles and 14 battery swapping stations across the city. The goal is to make it faster and easier to power up EVs without waiting for a full charge.
The project is a joint effort between Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), Mitsubishi Motors, Ample, and Yamato Transport. It is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as part of Japan’s plan to lower emissions. Japan hopes to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and hit carbon neutrality by 2050.
The project builds on an earlier test done in Kyoto. Now the team is bringing the system to Tokyo, a much bigger market. This time, they will use Mitsubishi Fuso’s eCanter light truck and Mitsubishi Motors’ Minicab EV. These EVs will be used for delivery work, with Yamato Transport as the first company to try them for last-mile delivery in Tokyo.
Battery swap stations will be provided and run by Ample, a US-based company. Their system allows drivers to swap out a battery in about 5 minutes, without leaving their vehicle. The stations are also small, so they can fit into crowded city areas like Tokyo. In the future, these stations may also help store power from renewable energy sources like wind or solar.
This new project is a big step up from the smaller Kyoto test. In 2024, Yamato Transport, MFTBC, and Ample tested battery swaps with taxis and delivery vehicles in Kyoto. The test showed that battery swapping works well across different vehicle types. Now, with Mitsubishi Motors joining the effort, the team can test the system on a wider range of vehicles in Tokyo.
The goal is to show that battery swapping is a good option for commercial EVs and to help bring more electric vehicles to the streets of Japan’s capital. The project is still open to other companies that want to join. Visit TruckDeal.com.ph and explore Fuso’s full range of trucks and other vehicles. Our TruckGuide will help you find what’s right for your business.
