Press Release
TEPCO Becomes First Japanese Energy Company to Join Global EV100 and EV30@30 Campaign – Aiming to convert 100% of own commercial vehicles to EVs by 2030
May 29, 2019
The increasing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and the creation of infrastructure to support that usage are key to the achievement of a low-carbon, smart society. The TEPCO Group is accordingly planning to convert all of its approximately 4,400 commercial vehicles—excluding special construction and emergency vehicles—to run on electric power by the year 2030, and will be installing its own dedicated charging facilities.
TEPCO is the first Japanese energy company to join the global EV100 initiative, led by the international non-profit organization The Climate Group, which brings together leading companies aiming to make electric transport ‘the new normal’ by 2030. TEPCO is also fulfilling its responsibilities as an energy company by supporting the EV30@30 campaign, a public-private initiative led by the Clean Energy Ministerial, a high-level global forum which promotes policies and programs that advance clean energy technology. It aims to increase the market share of new electric vehicles sold globally to 30% by the year 2030.
The TEPCO Group currently operates over 400 electric vehicles and maintains detailed records of the daily distances driven by each one, as well as their recharging performance and maintenance history. By sharing this knowledge with other companies participating in the EV100 and EV30@30 initiatives, TEPCO is spearheading the increased adoption of electric vehicles, which are more environmentally-friendly and offer better drivability, with smoother starting and acceleration. The company is additionally pursuing the development and leverage of EV technology by promoting the standardization of component specifications, joint procurement and similar initiatives.
TEPCO is further expanding its recharging infrastructure to facilitate the use of electric vehicles and is helping to make cities more resilient to disasters through the deployment of V2X (Vehicle to Everything) technology, which enables interconnectivity between EV batteries and the power supplies of nearby buildings. With the further development of electrification within the various energy sectors, the company is dedicated to addressing environmental, social and governance issues.
<Attachment> Comments by TEPCO Executive Vice President Seiji Moriya
(concurrently CFO, ESG Director and Assistant to the President)
“Many of TEPCO’s predecessor companies were involved in the early development of electric vehicle technology. In 1908, Tokyo Lighting Company Inc. became the first company in Japan to procure and test an electric vehicle. To this day, TEPCO continues to work with automobile manufacturers and research institutions to further the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition, the company is actively promoting the international adoption of the CHAdeMO standard for fast charging as well as the emerging V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology.
“We already are operating 400 electric company vehicles and have installed recharging facilities at almost all of our locations. Going forward, we have decided to convert virtually all of our car fleet by 2030 and will contribute to the Global EV100 initiative and EV30@30 campaign.
“We aim to address environmental needs on a global scale and to help create a sustainable society by accelerating our efforts to promote the deployment of electric vehicles in a number of different fields.”
Mike Peirce, Corporate Partnerships Director, The Climate Group, said, “By committing to EV100, TEPCO joins the growing number of global companies committed to switching their fleets to electric, sending a clear market signal that electric transport is the future and setting the direction of travel for Japanese automakers. By also rolling out EV charging stations for its staff, TEPCO will help drive the wider uptake of electric vehicles, making the switch as easy as possible for thousands of people across the country."
