Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), headquartered in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is set to roll out an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and promoting sustainability through its Battery 2nd Life programme. The firm, under the leadership of President and CEO Karl Deppen, plans to repurpose batteries from its electric light-duty eCanter trucks. This initiative is a collaborative effort alongside CONNEXX SYSTEMS, a company reputed for its advanced storage battery technologies.
The programme will commence with a demonstration in February 2025, featuring the installation of an EnePOND® EV Charger at Muko City Hall, located in Kyoto Prefecture. The charger will primarily serve to charge the city’s official electric vehicles. Following this, a second EnePOND® EV Charger will be established at MFTBC's Kawasaki Plant later in 2025, enabling charging for various vehicles, including trucks.
The EnePOND® EV Charger, tentatively named and developed in conjunction with CONNEXX SYSTEMS, is designed to alleviate the strain on the existing power grid while facilitating fast charging for multiple EVs concurrently. Notably, it incorporates the ability to provide power during outages, further enhancing its utility. The use of repurposed batteries is expected to expedite the expansion of the charging infrastructure and reduce costs while extending the batteries' usable lifespans.
The Battery 2nd Life initiative is an integral component of MFTBC's Battery Lifecycle Management programme, which is part of the broader FUSO eMobility Solutions package aimed at supporting customers in the adoption and operation of electric trucks. As the demand for processing used batteries is anticipated to surge with the ongoing electrification trends, this initiative, alongside the Material Recovery initiative announced in September 2024, is pivotal to MFTBC's strategy.
Once extracted from retired eCanter vehicles, the batteries will be deployed in various applications under the Battery 2nd Life framework. Upon completion of their second life, the materials from these batteries will be recycled for use in new products, thereby fostering a circular economy within the battery supply chain. This strategy aims to enhance material value and effectively lower the overall costs associated with EVs, thus further accelerating the transition to electric mobility.
Energy storage systems such as those being developed contribute to stabilising the power grid and balancing electricity supply and demand by storing renewable energy, including solar power. They also provide backup power during outages, which is critical for business continuity and operational resilience.
In a bid to deepen the understanding of its initiatives, MFTBC and CONNEXX SYSTEMS will present detailed insights into the Battery 2nd Life initiative at the ZET-summit 2025. This event, taking place on February 4th and 5th in Muko City, is dedicated to exploring both domestic and international decarbonisation technologies, showcasing advancements in sustainable practices across various sectors.
Through these efforts, MFTBC is advancing its commitment to sustainability and innovation within the automotive industry. The progress of this initiative is likely to have significant implications for the future of electric vehicle infrastructure and the broader adoption of green technology solutions.
Source: Noah Wire Services