Japan Post goes ecological, plans to use over 20,000 electric vehicles for mail services

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

It seems that Japan is getting greener almost by the week. Now Japan Post announced it will start a field test with electric vehicles (EVs) for postal services and other business activities as early as next month. The company plans to convert all of its fleet of more than 20,000 cars to electric vehicles by 2016.

Mitsubishi’s mini car “i MiEV” (pictured above) will be used in the Japan Post office in Ginza in central Tokyo for about 2 months from Wednesday, December 3. The i MiEV is planned to be used mainly for client visits.

The company said it plans to use Fuji Heavy Industries‘ “Subaru Plug-in Stella Concept” (pictured above) for its collection and delivery services in the Yokohama Port office for about a year from Tuesday, December 2.

Last fiscal year, Japan Post used around 70,000 liters of gasoline, costing over $105 million.

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