Mazda has announced that it will take part in a joint project to test electric vehicles in Japan, by providing three Mazda2 / Demio superminis to be converted into EVs and will also assist in determining the vehicle specifications and evaluating the car's performance. Among the companies participating in the project, which will be lead by the Itochu Corporation, are Norway's Th!nk, Seiko and Nippon Car Solutions.
The Tsukuba Environmental Style Test Project is scheduled to commence in March 2010 in Tsukuba city, near Tokyo.
The Japanese automaker said that through its participation in the EV project, it aims to further strengthen the base of its future R&D activities in the development of its electric drive technologies.
Participating organizations
Project leader
Itochu Corporation |
List of collaborating companies and roles & responsibilities
Family Mart | Provide sites for the project at convenience stores |
Itochu Enex | Provide sites for the project at service stations |
Tokyo R&D | Electric vehicle-related |
Th!nk (Norway) | Electric vehicle-related |
Kyuki | Supply rapid chargers |
EnerDel Inc. (US) | Supply vehicle batteries and fixed batteries |
Seiko Electric | Fixed battery system integration |
Itochu Techno-Solutions | Supply ICT technology, data center |
Windcar | Car sharing service operation |
Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation | Car sharing-related |
Nippon Car Solutions Co. | Car sharing-related |
Ecosystem Japan | Supply solar panel systems |
Mazda Motor Corporation | Electric vehicle-related (provide Mazda Demio vehicles) |
Advisory Committee
Tsukuba City |
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) |
Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) |
The Japan Research Institute, Limited |
