Japan's Urban Delivery Just Got Greener: FedEx Rolls Out 17 EVs Across Major Cities

FedEx is making a bold move in Japan’s delivery landscape, introducing 17 electric vehicles to its logistics operations across Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Osaka. The deployment marks a significant step in the company’s broader sustainability roadmap, targeting carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040.

The Fleet Details That Matter

The new vehicles comprise Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter and Isuzu ELF EVs, both purpose-built for urban parcel delivery. Each truck carries a 1.5-ton payload while eliminating tailpipe emissions entirely—a practical advantage that goes beyond environmental brownie points. Per vehicle annually, this EV swap is expected to cut emissions by approximately 3.3 metric tons compared to traditional diesel alternatives.

Aligning With Japan’s Ambitious Climate Agenda

Japan has set aggressive decarbonization targets: a 60% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 (versus 2013 baseline) and full net-zero emissions by 2050. FedEx’s expanded EV fleet directly supports these national climate commitments while proving that logistics companies can maintain delivery speed and service quality without compromising environmental goals.

“These new EVs will reduce emissions on high-density urban routes while helping us maintain the speed and quality our customers expect,” noted Kei Alan Kubota, managing director of FedEx Japan, highlighting the dual benefit of staying competitive while going green.

Why This Matters for the Delivery Industry

High-density urban centers like Tokyo and Osaka present the perfect testing ground for electric logistics. FedEx’s 17-truck rollout isn’t just corporate sustainability theater—it’s a practical demonstration that EVs can handle real-world delivery demands in Japan’s toughest markets. As regulatory pressure and customer expectations around emissions intensify, similar initiatives are likely to ripple across Asia’s logistics sector.