Mobility
Contributing to the realization of the next-generation mobility society through our automotive-related business
Case Study
Electrification project for domestic diesel buses
Mobility
Transforming Diesel Buses into Electric Buses to Support the Achievement of a Low-Carbon Society
~ Retrofit EV Bus Initiative ~
We are currently engaged in a retrofit EV bus project, which involves converting diesel buses into electric (EV) buses. This process includes removing the engine, transmission, fuel tank and other components from existing diesel buses and replacing them with motors and batteries to transform them into EV buses. The retrofit EV bus project offers a cost-effective way to introduce EV buses, compared to purchasing new EV buses, thereby contributing to the acceleration of decarbonization in bus industry.
Japan's first mass-produced retrofit electric bus to come from Kyushu
This project was launched in collaboration with Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd. (NNR), which operates railway, bus, and logistics businesses in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu. The first unit was delivered to NNR in June 2022, and as of September 2024, a total of 24 retrofit EV buses are in operation across Kyushu and Kanto region. The retrofit design and components are provided by RAC Electric, a Taiwanese company invested in by Sumitomo Corporation. Additionally, in 2023, we established Japan’s first mass production process for retrofit EV buses in Kyushu.
Building Reliable Retrofit EV Buses for Daily Operations
When we delivered the first unit to Nishi-Nippon Railroad (NNR) in 2022, we initially faced frequent issues unique to retrofit EV buses, which often prevented scheduled operations. During this period, our team, including representatives from NNR, RAC Electric in Taiwan, and our Kyushu-based staff, worked together diligently to address each problem. By the time we introduced the second unit about a year later, we had achieved an operational rate comparable to diesel buses. This experience highlighted the unique challenges and the importance of after-sales service for retrofit buses, which are not typically encountered with passenger cars or new EV buses. These insights have been incorporated into our current business strategy.
Spreading Retrofit EV buses across the country ~Aiming for a real low-carbon society~
By the end of fiscal year 2024, we plan to have introduced over 50 retrofit EV buses. Moving forward, we will expand the range of models eligible for retrofitting and enhance our mass production capabilities to enable bus operators nationwide to adopt these EV buses. In parallel, we will also offer services that address challenges associated with the introduction of electric vehicles, such as electric vehicle management systems, optimal charging solutions, and support for the integration of renewable energy. Through these efforts, we aim to continue contributing to the realization of a real low-carbon society.
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