Tokyo’s Big Electric Bet: Over 150 Battery Swapping Trucks Set to Hit Streets in Game-Changing Pilot
Mitsubishi and partners launch Tokyo’s largest battery-swapping truck fleet in 2025—aiming for 5-minute swaps and zero fleet downtime.
• 150+ battery-swappable EVs to deploy in Tokyo from September 2025
• 14 modular battery swapping stations planned
• Target swap time: Just 5 minutes per vehicle
• Yamato Transport to pioneer swappable EVs for last-mile delivery
Tokyo is set for an electric overhaul as Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), Mitsubishi Motors, U.S.-based battery swapping pioneer Ample, and logistics giant Yamato Transport announce a bold pilot that could supercharge Japan’s commercial EV industry. Kicking off in September 2025, this power-packed partnership will roll out more than 150 battery-swappable electric vehicles and 14 state-of-the-art modular swapping stations across Japan’s bustling capital.
The move marks a sharp escalation from last year’s smaller trial in Kyoto, signaling that battery swapping is stepping out of the shadows and onto center stage in the world’s largest metropolitan area. Mitsubishi’s eCanter light-duty truck and the Minicab EV—a compact kei car designed for Japan’s intricate urban routes—will spearhead this electric charge.
Why Is Battery Swapping a Game Changer for Tokyo?
Battery swapping could be the key to unlocking widespread EV adoption in dense cities like Tokyo. Instead of plugging vehicles in and waiting, drivers can swap batteries in just five minutes—faster than ordering ramen in Shibuya. Automated stations mean drivers never need to leave their seat, slashing downtime and maximizing fleet productivity.
Combined with Tokyo’s urgency to decarbonize and meet rigorous climate goals, this pilot puts the city at the forefront of eco-friendly urban logistics. According to the project team, future stations may also help stabilize the grid by storing renewable energy, multiplying the initiative’s environmental impact.
Who Are the Major Players Driving This Project?
Yamato Transport, a heavyweight in Japan’s delivery market, will be the first to roll out these high-tech trucks for last-mile logistics. US-based Ample provides the fully automated modular battery swapping tech, taking fast-track electrification global. The project won support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Public Corporation’s Technology Development Support Project for Promoting New Energy. For more on industry trends, visit Mitsubishi Motors and MFTBC.
Q&A: How Will the Battery Swapping Pilot Work?
Q: How does battery swapping differ from fast charging?
Swapping is fully automated and takes about 5 minutes—no need to get out of the vehicle. Charging, on the other hand, can tie up vehicles for hours, even with fast chargers.
Q: Will the stations only serve commercial fleets?
Initial deployment focuses on delivery trucks and commercial vehicles. But with success, this tech could extend to taxis, ride-sharing, or even consumer EVs.
Q: What makes these stations suitable for Tokyo?
They’re ultra-compact and have rapid deployment capabilities, ideal for crowded urban areas.
How Can Logistics Companies Prepare for the Battery Swapping Future?
- Track pilot results and swap performance data.
- Consider how battery swapping can fit existing fleet operations.
- Stay updated with technological advancements in modular stations.
The Road Ahead: Will Battery Swapping Spark Japan’s Zero-Emission Dream?
If this Tokyo pilot succeeds, expect a ripple effect across Japan’s logistics and commercial transport network. Battery swapping may soon be a cornerstone for rapid, urban, zero-downtime deliveries—just as Japan ramps up its climate ambitions.
Stay in the loop on the future of EVs and battery swapping technology. Mark your calendar for the Evertiq Expo in Berlin on June 5, 2025, and sign up for newsletter updates from key industry leaders.
Don’t get left behind in the EV revolution—follow these highlights and transform your fleet for a zero-downtime future:
- Watch Tokyo’s battery swapping pilot roll out from September 2025
- Learn from Yamato Transport’s last mile delivery innovations
- Monitor developments from Ample, Mitsubishi, and MFTBC
- Check out upcoming tech expos and subscribe to industry news
