Japan plans to develop electric commercial vehicles with swappable batteries
The Japanese Ministry of the Environment, in cooperation with car manufacturers, will begin testing electrically powered commercial vehicles in the logistics sector for convenience stores and other business areas in 2021 in order to reduce greenhouse gases. The ministry will apply for funding for this project from the 2021 national budget. Some well-known convenience store operators already have electric delivery vans in test use, but their widespread use is currently limited by their long charging time. Therefore, vans with changeable batteries are to be developed for the Ministry of Environment’s project.
The small trucks are to be tested for transporting goods over short distances from the logistics center to the individual stores. The concept envisages that the electricity for charging the batteries will be obtained from locally generated green electricity from renewable sources such as solar energy or wind. The power generation is to take place on the logistics center site. The Ministry also plans to use these logistics centers for the distribution of food in emergencies and as a shelter. Companies participating in the test must commit themselves to comply with this requirement through a contract with the local authorities.
If the distribution centers are equipped with decentralized power supply, food can also be delivered by the electric trucks with swap batteries during power outages due to natural disasters or other emergencies. Those responsible for the project said that the delivery trucks can also deliver fresh, chilled and frozen food. The Ministry of Environment is considering using the charged batteries as an emergency power supply for the emergency shelters. Unlike electrically powered vans, electric motorcycles are already in daily use. The Japanese Post uses such two-wheelers to deliver mail. Delivery services of restaurants and courier services also use electric scooters. Vehicles and components to be placed on the Japanese market are subject to JIS certification. JIS certification is a mandatory certification that verifies the conformity of products according to Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). MPR International GmbH – Japan Certification will be happy to assist you with the JIS certification and is also available to answer your questions.
If you need assistance with product certifications for the Japanese market (JIS certification, PSE/PSC certification) or have any questions, you can contact us any time by email.