#Carbon Neutrality #Japan #Funabashi #Pal System Chiba #ISUZU ELFmio

Pal System Chiba Introduces Its First EV Truck

On September 26, 2023, Pal System Chiba, headquartered in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, held a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of its first electric vehicle (EV) truck at its Matsudo Center. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the cooperative's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, acting as the ninth EV truck introduced by the group to contribute to a decarbonized society.

Advanced Features to Enhance Safety and Efficiency

The newly introduced EV truck is the ISUZU ELFmio, manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd., based in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. This vehicle can be operated with a regular driver's license and comes equipped with advanced safety features such as the “EDSS” (Driver Abnormality Detection System), which detects anomalies by observing the driver's facial expressions.

The delivery ceremony was attended by Kohei Nakajima from Isuzu Motors' Tokyo Bay branch and Sachiko Ishii, Executive Director of Pal System Chiba. Mr. Nakajima expressed his pride in supporting the journey toward a decarbonized society, stating, "We are honored to take this new step together. We will continue to provide our full support going forward."

Ms. Ishii articulated her enthusiasm, stating, "This is the first EV vehicle introduced for delivery by Pal System Chiba, and it represents a significant first step for our members and staff. We aim to increase this number by 2030 while continuing our research, focusing on reducing environmental impact through initiatives like solar panel installation and environmentally-friendly product offerings."

A Benchmark for the Co-op Industry

This model was previously introduced by the Tokyo-based Pal System co-op, which made headlines for integrating such an environmentally friendly vehicle into its logistics system. The ELFmio's ability to minimize vibrations and its quiet operation make it particularly suitable for deliveries in residential areas, gaining praise for its performance in the cooperative sector.

At the ceremony, Executive Director Ishii received a replica key from Shota Yamazaki of Isuzu Motors. She remarked on the substantial expectations surrounding the introduction of this new vehicle.

Pal System Chiba also referenced the performance records of other EV trucks used by its partner companies, including six units from Pal System Tokyo and two from Pal System Kanagawa, to guide its choice of the ISUZU ELFmio.

Promoting CO₂ Reduction Through Renewable Energy

For the charging of the group’s seven EV trucks, Pal System Chiba intends to primarily utilize renewable energy sources. Approximately 70% of the group's logistics centers leverage self-generated electricity from solar power or the "Pal System Electricity" supplied by Pal System Electric, which also promotes sustainable energy options to users. This electricity is generated from renewable sources combined with FIT electricity.

As part of its ongoing commitment, Pal System Chiba is working towards reducing CO₂ emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by the year 2030. It aims to achieve this goal through collaborative efforts across its various organizations in pursuit of a decarbonized society.

Looking Ahead

With the world evolving towards sustainable practices, Pal System Chiba's introduction of the EV truck signifies more than just a transportation upgrade; it represents a pivotal step toward an environmentally sustainable future within the cooperative movement. The cooperative celebrates 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and community-focused initiatives. Through such endeavors, it hopes to inspire similar movements in other sectors and communities, contributing to a collective effort for a greener planet.

For more details about the EV truck and Pal System Chiba's initiatives, visit Pal System Chiba's Official Site.