Mitsubishi Motors Corp and Yamato Transport have started a field test of an electric pickup and delivery vehicle that has been built by Mitsubishi.
The prototyped electric delivery vehicle will be deployed in Yamato Transport’s delivery center in Tokyo Oct 15, 2010. And the two companies will evaluate its practicality by collecting data from the vehicle in operation and analyzing it.
Based on the results, Yamato may consider employing a commercial electric light van. The company fleet comprises about 45,000 vehicles including 4,659 hybrid electric vehicles. Yamato Transport already operates 10 i-MiEV electric vehicles for training drivers in safety and eco-friendly driving habits.
Mitsubishi plans to obtain feedback from the field test and aims at an early commercialization of the commercial electric light van.
Based on Mitsubishi’s gasoline-powered Minicab Van, the prototype light commercial EV is powered by the same electric powertrain and components as used by the i-MiEV.
