Japan Post and Honda signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the development and use of electric motorcycles for postal deliveries which will serve as an alternative to the current gasoline-powered delivery motorcycles.
During the past approximately half century, Japan Post and Honda have built a cooperative relationship in the pursuit of efficient postal delivery operation through the development and operation of delivery motorcycles.
Amid a growing consciousness concerning the global environment, businesses are expected to act in a more environmentally-responsible manner. This includes making a transition to a recycling-oriented society where limited resources are used more effectively as well as complying with increasingly strict exhaust emissions regulations.
Under such circumstances, Japan Post and Honda will jointly conduct demonstration testing on the use of environmentally-responsible electric vehicles for postal delivery operation and charging stations at post offices.
As a future vision, the two companies will also strive to enable post offices with their function as charging stations to serve as infrastructure that contributes to local communities as a convenient place where people get together.
Honda has been developing Honda Biz LINC, a cloud-based solution using location information (GPS function) from a smart phone/tablet and supporting improvement of the efficiency of business operations that involve near-distance traveling with motorcycles and mini-vehicles.
Japan Post will conduct demonstration testing utilizing Honda Biz LINC with its postal delivery vehicles and strive to operate its vehicles more efficiently and safely by using functions that enable ascertaining of location information of each vehicle.
The two companies will strengthen the Japan-wide maintenance structure for Honda-made motorcycles that are currently being used by Japan Post for its delivery operation.
