Ample, a US-based company specializing in modular battery swapping technology for electric vehicles (EVS), will deploy a network of battery swapping stations in Tokyo, initially focusing on commercial fleets in the logistics sector.
This expansion of Ample’s network is intended to increase battery swapping coverage and capacity in dense urban environments. Each station can support over 100 vehicles and is designed to serve high-utilization fleets that require quick turnaround times.
The initiative, backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation, aligns with Tokyo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 by providing additional charging infrastructure for the city’s large commercial vehicle population.
In early 2024, Ample began operations in Japan with battery swapping stations in Kyoto in partnership with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and ENEOS Holdings. That deployment highlighted the potential of modular battery swapping to support fleet electrification by enabling fast energy delivery, reducing grid stress through off-peak battery charging, and minimizing operational disruption.
Japan remains a major automotive manufacturing hub, but the adoption of EVs has been slower due to space limitations, long charging times, and power constraints in urban centers. Battery swapping offers an alternative to conventional charging by allowing EVs to receive a full charge in minutes — similar to the experience of fueling internal combustion vehicles.
MFTBC and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), both key stakeholders in Japan’s electrification roadmap, are contributing to the demonstration project by integrating battery-swapping-ready vehicles into their commercial portfolios.
Ample’s modular battery system is designed to be compatible with a variety of EV platforms, offering a flexible solution for commercial fleet operators. The company’s compact, install-ready stations are intended for use in space-constrained environments, helping cities like Tokyo accelerate their transition to electric transportation.
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Filed Under: Batteries, Charging, Technology News