TOKYO & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 19, 2025--
Ample will deploy a network of swapping stations in Tokyo, with an initial focus on supporting commercial fleets in the logistics sector. This expansion of Ample’s swapping network will provide additional swapping coverage and capacity, with each station able to support over 100 vehicles. The initiative, backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation, will advance Tokyo's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 by offering additional charging solutions for the city's millions of commercial vehicles.
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In early 2024, Ample entered the Japanese market by deploying battery swapping stations in Kyoto in partnership with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and ENEOS Holdings. The Kyoto deployment demonstrated core benefits of modular battery swapping for fleet electrification, including fast energy delivery, minimizing changes to fleet operations, and reducing load on the electric grid by slowly charging the batteries in the swapping station.
“Tokyo is one of the world’s most advanced cities in sustainable urban development and one of the largest markets for commercial deliveries, making it the perfect place for our next deployments as we expand our presence in Japan,” said Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample. “By providing a fast and scalable solution for commercial fleets, we’re helping the City of Tokyo set an example for how densely populated cities can electrify. We’re honored that the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation has selected Ample and its Japanese partners to demonstrate the potential of EV battery swapping.”
Japan is a global leader in automotive manufacturing, and since the 1970s, the sector has been a cornerstone of the Japanese economy. However, in recent years, Japan has been slow to adopt electric vehicles. Obstacles to electrification include long charging times, power limitations, and space constraints in dense Japanese cities. Battery swapping provides a fast and convenient way to power EVs, similar to the refueling experience at a gas station. Importantly, the Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will bring their innovation and leadership in electric vehicles to the demonstration. MFTBC is known for its leadership role advancing zero emission commercial vehicles. MMC pioneered one of the world’s first mass-produced EVs and is a trusted mobility provider for urban logistics.
Ample manufactures and operates a modular battery swapping ecosystem which fully charges EVs in five minutes, providing fleet operators with a seamless alternative to gas-powered fueling stations. Ample’s modular batteries are designed to be a drop-in replacement for the original EV battery, making the technology compatible with most EV models. The company’s compact, rapidly deployable stations can be installed in just a few days, providing a practical solution for high-utilization vehicles operating in dense urban environments like Tokyo.
To see a video of how Ample’s battery swapping stations operate, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QeQ3VM4A4w
(Photo: Business Wire)
The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?
Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.
Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.
“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”
Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.
By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.
Slot said Salah was a threat all game.
“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.
Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.
It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.
There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.
However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”
“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”
Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
