Toyota-Led Firms, Yamato Transport and CJPT Studying New Battery Tech For BEVs

Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. (Yamato Transport) and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) are set to develop a new battery technology for battery electric vehicles (BEV).

According to the Toyota-led enterprises, the development will start by studying the standardization and commercialization of replaceable and rechargeable cartridge batteries.

For context, the introduction of commercial BEVs poses several challenges, including recharging times that are longer than refuelling times for conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.

It also increases logistics downtime, notably when vehicles and cargo are at a standstill due to numerous vehicles recharging at or around the same time. 

On top of that, the introduction of commercial BEVs is also expected to impose an increasing burden on society as a whole.

Namely, by increasing peak electricity demand at business sites due to concentrated recharging by numerous non-operating vehicles.

Therefore, to solve these issues, Yamato Transport and CJPT will begin studying the practical application of detachable and portable cartridge batteries based on the following merits.

First, the ability to reduce the cost of BEV introduction. The cost can be reduced by limiting battery capacity and, thus, the total amount of batteries to match actual driving-range needs.

Second, to reduce the recharging burden. Specifically, the burden related to the installation of recharging infrastructure.

Third, reducing logistics downtime. Of which, battery replacements can be adopted to reduce vehicle recharging time.

Fourth, standardizing of electricity demand via replacement batteries that can be recharged while vehicles are in operation, in turn reducing peak electricity demand.

Furthermore, CJPT also intends to advance its plans for commercial BEVs that these cartridge batteries can power, by normalizing its usage and recharging systems.

Specifically, for vehicles ranging from BEV mini-commercial vans to BEV light-duty trucks. In doing so, the company said it will reduce the cost of commercial BEVs and encourage their widespread use. 

As an energy-management solution, the company seeks to propose ways to achieve battery use that matches actual use requirements.

Meanwhile, Yamato Transport aims for a green delivery ecosystem that includes its partners by co-creating with communities a cartridge battery-based electricity utilization scheme. 

In addition to promoting the use of green power, the company also intends to study ways to increase the resilience of electric energy supply to communities.

E.g., by delivering cartridge batteries in times of disaster to areas where it is difficult to maintain electric power infrastructure.

All in all, the two companies are open to collaborations with new partners for the standardization and commercialization of cartridge batteries toward popularizing EVs as a way to contribute to the achievement of a carbon-neutral society.