---
title: "Isuzu tests battery swapping for electric refuse trucks"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/293054109.md"
description: "Isuzu Motors is partnering with Yokohama City in a pilot project until March 2028 to test automated battery swapping for electric refuse trucks. The system exchanges depleted batteries for charged ones at dedicated stations in approximately three minutes, significantly reducing downtime and increasing vehicle availability compared to traditional fast charging. This initiative addresses energy consumption challenges from compaction systems. Isuzu aims to enhance the operational efficiency of electrified municipal vehicles through this rapid replenishment technology."
datetime: "2026-07-17T15:00:00.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/293054109.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293054109.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/293054109.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Isuzu tests battery swapping for electric refuse trucks

Until March 2028, commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu Motors will work with the City of Yokohama to test whether automated battery swapping can increase the operating time of electric municipal vehicles. Under the project, the two depleted traction batteries in the electric vehicles are exchanged for fully charged packs at dedicated swapping stations. According to media reports, the process takes around three minutes. The electric refuse truck can then immediately resume its route. A video shared by Isuzu on *LinkedIn* shows the battery swapping process in operation.

With the pilot project, Isuzu aims to address a key challenge facing battery-electric commercial vehicles in municipal applications: even when using fast chargers, electric refuse trucks require significant charging time. At the same time, the compaction systems consume additional energy, reducing operating range and vehicle availability. Battery swapping is intended to significantly reduce these periods of downtime. The manufacturer is pursuing several approaches to improve the availability of electrified commercial vehicles.

Earlier this spring, Isuzu and Toyota announced the development of a light-duty fuel-cell truck, which also focuses on rapid energy replenishment. While fuel-cell vehicles can be refuelled within minutes, battery swapping is intended to eliminate lengthy charging breaks for battery-electric vehicles.

Other manufacturers are also testing the concept. Mitsubishi Fuso, for example, is working with Yamato Transport to trial swappable batteries for light-duty electric trucks. Whether the technology can progress beyond pilot projects will depend, among other factors, on infrastructure costs and greater standardisation of battery systems across vehicles.

asia.nikkei.com,linkedin.com(video battery exchange)

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> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**