Yamato Transport Co., Toyota Motor Corporation and Hino Motors will begin trials using a small electric truck in Yamato delivery operations in Japan.
Developed by Hino, the small electric truck is a one-ton, ultra-low bed truck featuring a cargo space equipped with compartments for keeping delivery goods refrigerated or frozen.
The small electric truck was created in line with specifications developed jointly by Yamato, Toyota, and Hino to provide “Cool TA-Q-BIN”, one of Yamato’s unique delivery services for goods at low or freezing temperatures. The small electric truck, including its refrigerator/freezer, is powered entirely by battery, meaning it generates no emissions during operation and is extremely quiet, making it ideal for delivery services in residential neighborhoods late at night and early in the morning.
The trials are scheduled to be conducted for about one year. The three partners will verify the suitability and practicality of using the small electric trucks in delivery operations, and the results will be used to make improvements for the commercial launch of electric trucks.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]At the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, Hino displayed an EV truck concept vehicle with an ultra-low bed based on this idea and subsequently continued development, completing a practical-use prototype vehicle. By placing a compact electric motor under the cab and adopting front-wheel drive, the batteries could be placed under the bed. The bed floor could then be positioned at a height of just 440 mm above the ground, creating a vehicle with a much lower bed than conventional trucks.
After determining that Yamato’s initiatives for raising operating efficiency were in agreement with Toyota’s and Hino’s approaches to electric commercial vehicles, the three companies agreed to cooperate by conducting the trials.
Main Specifications (same for Toyota and Hino small electric trucks)
| Length | 4,695 mm | |
| Width | 1,830 mm | |
| Height | 2,600 mm | |
| Bed height | 440 mm | |
| Cargo area | Internal dimensions | Length 2,980 mm × Width 1,685 mm × Height 2,100 mm |
| Storage compartments (three) | Freezer compartment, refrigerated compartment, dry compartment | |
| Vehicle weight | 2,690 kg | |
| Maximum capacity | 1,000 kg | |
| Occupants | Two | |
| Total vehicle weight | 3,800 kg | |
| Motor | Maximum output | 70 kW |
| Maximum torque | 280 Nm | |
| Batteries | Type | Lithium-ion |
| Capacity | 28 kW/h | |
| Voltage | 350 V | |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (limited to city driving; speed restricted by a limiter) | |
| Charging time | Ordinary charging | Eight hours (200 V) |
| Rapid charging | 45 minutes (CHAdeMO method, 50 kW) | |
Trial Details
– Period: Approximately one-year period starting mid-March in 2013
– Territory: Areas of Itabashi Ward (Tokyo) and a part of Machida City (Tokyo)
– Number of vehicles: Two (Toyota and Hino to provide one vehicle each)
