Ample’s innovation centers on constructing battery-swapping stations that can efficiently service larger delivery vehicles. These stations enable electric vehicles to exchange their depleted batteries with fully-charged ones within minutes, ensuring minimal downtime and extended range.

The first application of this technology will be seen in Mitsubishi Fuso’s all-electric FUSO eCanter trucks in Japan this winter. This model has been chosen for the initial deployment of the new battery-swapping system, marking a significant step in last-mile delivery’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable operations. 

The process at a battery swapping station can take as little as a few minutes, much faster than even the quickest charging stations, therefore providing more streamlined process for the driver, similar to refueling a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle. Additionally, as the batteries are owned and maintained by the station, drivers do not have to worry about the degradation of their EV batteries.

Battery swapping, however, requires a high level of standardization across manufacturers, as the batteries need to fit different models of cars and trucks, presenting challenges for both automakers and battery swapping service providers.

Setting up battery swapping stations is also resource and capital intensive as it involves sophisticated technology and additional space for storing batteries. Battery swapping stations, however, are quite popular in China, and are currently being piloted in parts of Europe.