Japan Post testing electric vehicles for postal duties

Japan Post has been using Toyota electric vehicles for postal pickup and delivery duties on a trial basis. Aichi prefecture-based Toyota Auto Body Co, a division of Toyota Motor Corp., announced last month (June) that it has provided four single-seater “Coms” vehicles to post office branches in central Japan.

This is believed to be the first time that electric vehicles have been used for mail delivery in Japan. The Coms cars have a maximum speed of 60 kilometres (km) an hour, and can run for about 50 km between charges. Charging takes about six hours and can be done using regular household AC sockets.

Toyota Auto Body has reportedly said that the trial will continue until March next year.