Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd., recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Eternity Grand Logistics Public Co., Ltd. to launch a pilot study on the commercial viability of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in Thailand.
The study aims to understand and explore BEVs in commercial applications with real-world field data from where Eternity Grand Logistics is operating. Under the terms of the MoU, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand will provide one unit of the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV, a commercial BEV, for the study. Eternity Grand Logistics will use the vehicle for a year in its logistics operations.
The study is also a part of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s electrification journey and agenda in Thailand that covers both passenger and commercial uses. It aims to encourage Thai users to embrace electrification, and explores the potential of widespread adoption of EV in Thailand, in line with the Thai government’s objectives.
Meanwhile, Eternity Grand Logistics’ plans to explore BEVs for their operations as a part of their green agenda as well as an initiative to lower running costs. Eternity Grand Logistics is a 100% subsidiary of Hitachi Transport System, LTD. which is one of the leading “one-stop” logistics service providers around the world.
Mr. Eiichi Koito, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has provided about 9,000 units of the Minicab MiEV to many logistics companies, retailers and local governments in Japan. Out of 9,000 units, 1,500 units were delivered to Japan Post’s fleet. We will continue to explore the viability of electrification in tandem with the proliferation of charging stations and support from the Thai government. This study will enable us to explore opportunities to apply BEVs for commercial applications with the objective to encourage its adoption and use in Thailand in the future. It is a part of our New Environmental Plan Package, in which Mitsubishi Motors Corporation defines the vision of society and the direction of its initiatives toward 2050, and supports the government’s electrification initiative. One of the targets of the New Environmental Plan Package is to increase the proportion of electric vehicles to 50 percent of total vehicle sales by 2030 in global.”
Mr. Ryuichi Honda, CEO of Asia Region of Hitachi Transport System (HQ) and Chairman of Eternity Grand Logistics Public Co., Ltd., said, “As one of the leading players in the logistics industry, we have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint. At the operational level, we also need to redress operational expenses. We are proud to be partnering with one of the leading automotive companies for our green initiative. Mitsubishi Motors has the advanced technology and capability to produce high-tech EVs. This study will allow us to understand and obtain more information on the potential adoption and introduction of EVs into our operations in the future. It is in-line with our aim to become a responsible corporate citizen at the forefront of industrial and environmental sustainability.”
Eternity Grand Logistics will use the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV daily, to deliver goods to customers. The vehicle already has a proven track record for its driving and load capability, offering a quiet, economical and environmentally-friendly drive.
To accommodate the variety of load capability, the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV comes with a maximum payload of 350 kg with two passengers. With the passenger seat folded, its cargo floor length measures 2,685 mm. Sliding doors facilitate loading and unloading.
The vehicle can be charged via CHAdeMO charging system (DC) that provides up to 80 percent charge in 35 minutes. Normal charging (AC) will fully charge the batteries to 100 percent in seven hours. It also uses a regenerative braking system that converts braking force into electricity to charge the batteries while on the move. Similar to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV can also act as an energy source in the Dendo Drive House (DDH) ecosystem.
The study with Eternity Grand Logistics spearheads one aspect of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s electrification agenda in Thailand. The automaker’s electrification journey started with the latest model of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, produced and launched in Thailand late last year. It is the world’s best-selling SUV PHEV, and balance between environmental preservation and progress, offering low to zero-emissions motoring with zero range-anxiety and driving dynamics and performance that rivals the best SUVs on the road today. To date, its global cumulative sales has reached a total of 283,038 units as of May 2021.
