Automotive

Ample and Mitsubishi to bring battery swap tech to electric trucking

Where light-duty electric trucks could spend hours at the charge point, Ample's battery swap technology will shortly see the first converted eCanter trucks in Japan ready to roll out fully charged after just five minutes
Ample
Where light-duty electric trucks could spend hours at the charge point, Ample's battery swap technology will shortly see the first converted eCanter trucks in Japan ready to roll out fully charged after just five minutes
Ample

Back in May, Ample revealed that it had managed to get its swap station to change out an electric vehicle's battery in five minutes. Now the company has partnered with Mitsubishi Fuso to bring its battery swapping technology to electric trucking.

Ample's technology sees electric vehicle fitted with modular battery packs that are compatible with its battery swap station. Rather than sit plugged in at a public charging station for hours, a driver rolls the car onto a platform and the depleted modules are automatically removed and replaced with fresh ones.

This used to take 10 minutes with Ample's original design, but the second-generation station can manage it in five minutes. The removed battery modules are absorbed into the station's battery bank and recharged, ready for the arrival of the next customer.

Last-mile delivery companies obviously don't want fleet vehicles out of action for lengthy recharge periods, which makes Ample's technology an attractive alternative.

To that end, Ample's battery modules are being installed in a bunch of Fuso eCanter electric trucks in Japan for deployment to companies later in the year. Initially, those vehicles can expect a range of between 62 and 200 miles (100 - 322 km) before the driver needs to enter a swapping station for a "gas-station-like experience."

While the truck undergoes its five-minute pitstop, it can be loaded with goods ready for the next delivery run. And though those per-swap ranges will already suit many inner-city logistics needs, Ample reports that longer-range options are being looked into.

Source: Ample

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
2 comments
michael_dowling
Battery swapping is a non-starter for private automobiles,but for cross country trucking,it makes sense. Your swap stations would be located on common trucking routes,and provide a recharge in the time it takes the driver to visit the restroom.
Aross
I don't understand why this is not an industry standard for all EVs. It is the only option that makes any sense.

Just like instead of buying propane tanks and having to buy new ones every few years you can swap out the old ones for a fresh full tank and never have to buy a new tank ever again. It is a good thing that barbecue manufacturers didn't build the tanks in so you would have to buy a complete unit every few years.

Old gas stations can be converted to battery swapping stations. That way not every house will need to be updated with charging capabilities. With every house having to add more electrical capacity the entire residential grids will need upgrading. Swapping a battery should take no longer than filling a gas tank so no additional delays on a long road trip while trying to charge a non swappable battery.