ENEOS and Ample launch an electric vehicle battery exchange service in Japan
ENEOS Holdings, Inc. and Ample, Inc., a US-based startup in which ENEOS has invested, are collaborate to launch an EV battery swap service in Japan. Through this partnership, the two companies aim to develop a fast, convenient and low-cost power delivery service for electric vehicles (in the form of battery exchange), just like the supply of gasoline.
Photo of the exchange station
Specifically, in order to launch an electric vehicle battery exchange service that uses Ample’s fully automated robotic battery exchange technology, ENEOS plans to conduct an initial project involving multiple passenger and last mile delivery companies. during the fiscal year ending March 2022 in Japan.
In addition, to support the growth of renewable energy, ENEOS will also study the use of the exchange station as a large stationary battery, which will contribute to the optimization of energy use and the possibility of use the batteries as a backup power source.
EV battery exchange in progress
Ample aims to promote the diffusion of electric vehicles by reducing the waste of time (time required for recharging) and the cost of implementation (investment expenditure for recharging infrastructure) linked to the electrification of vehicles. Ample currently provides a power delivery service using its battery swap technology to transportation companies in the United States and plans to begin expanding internationally later in 2021.