Traditionally known as an automotive powerhouse, Japan is now recognizing China’s expertise when it comes to electric vehicles. A Japanese start-up specializing in batteries said it would acquire Geely EVs for a planned commercial service fleet.
A fleet of Geely EV51 EV units will soon be used by Yokohama-based 3DOM Inc.
3DOM Inc. is a university-led venture based in Yokohama, having been set up in 2014 to develop separators for batteries. On April 7, the company announced that will launch what it calls the world’s first carbon neutral commercial fleet using a fleet of Geely E51 EV units.
Launched in March 2022, the E51 is an electric light commercial van intended for use by transportation companies and logistics providers. According to 3DOM, some 7,500 units are anticipated to be used in the service, which is already being considered by several companies and supermarket operators. Clients can avail of the service through subscription or leasing to avoid high acquisition costs.
The vehicles, 3DOM said, can be charged using electricity generated by wind power and other sustainable sources through collaborations with utility companies. The running cost of the service to lease the EVs is expected to be the same as that on a gasoline-powered fleet.
Companies are citing the high cost of Japanese EVs as the reason for the switch to Chinese ones
Both 3DOM and Geely earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop batteries for the E51. This is seen to provide an estimated 600 Megawatt-hours of power, equivalent to 12,000 vehicles.
It turns out that 3DOM is far from being the only Japanese firm benefitting from Chinese EVs. Major Japanese delivery firm Sagawa Express Co. is set to replace its existing fleet of 7,200 commercial mini vehicles with EVs made by Guangxi Automobile Group sometime this year. Logistics services company SBS Holdings also plans to use electric trucks from Dongfeng Motor.
Two Japanese automakers are already leading their peers in promoting EVs for commercial use. Mitsubishi Motors manufactures EVs for use by the postal service, while Toyota is offering electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells to convenience store operators through a trial service.
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