First Unit Starts Operations in Hokkaido as a Small Commercial EV
The EV F1 VAN, the first model developed and sold by fabless EV manufacturer folofly Co., Ltd. (CEO: Hiroyasu Koma, Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), has started operations as the first small commercial EV for home delivery in Japan. The first unit was introduced by a group company of Loginet Japan Co., Ltd. (CEO: Junmi Hashimoto, Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Sapporo City), headquartered in Hokkaido. This marks the beginning of efforts to explore effective ways to utilize small commercial EVs for last-mile logistics in cold regions.
Specifications of EV F1 VAN
- Dimensions (mm): 4500 × 1680 × 1985
- Details: Products | folofly Inc. – EV trucks and vehicle sharing systems
Challenges of EV Adoption in Hokkaido and Last-Mile Logistics
Hokkaido faces unique challenges due to its cold climate, such as snow accumulation on EVs and charging infrastructure, reduced battery performance at low temperatures, and the freezing of charging cables and ports. According to data from the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center, Hokkaido ranks 13th in the number of subsidies issued for next-generation eco-cars and last nationwide in EVs per 10,000 people, at just 9.6 units.
Through the introduction of the EV F1 VAN, Loginet Japan aims to evaluate the practicality of small commercial EVs in cold climates and address barriers to EV adoption in northern regions.
Decarbonization Support for the Logistics Industry: The EV F1 Series
In October 2021, folofly became the first Japanese automaker to obtain vehicle registration for a 1-ton class home delivery EV produced overseas using a fabless production model. Since July, the EV F1 VAN has been recognized as eligible for subsidies under the Japan Automobile Transport Technology Association’s Advanced Trucks and Buses Introduction Acceleration Program, allowing for a maximum subsidy of ¥884,000 per vehicle.
folofly continues to promote environmentally friendly operations and cost reduction in last-mile logistics, striving to contribute to a sustainable society.
folofly Milestones
- August 2021: folofly Co., Ltd. established at the Kyoto University International Science Innovation Building.
- October 2021: Obtained registration for Japan’s first 1-ton class home delivery EV vehicle produced via fabless manufacturing.
- October 2021: Launched sales of EV F1 VAN.
- October 2021: SBS Holdings announced plans to adopt 10,000 units of folofly vehicles.
- November 2021: Jointly developed battery-swapping equipment with JEE.
- June 2022: Announced the flatbed EV F1 TRUCK, the second self-developed model.
- July 2022: EV F1 VAN recognized for the Advanced Trucks and Buses Introduction Acceleration Program subsidy.
- September 2022: EV F1 VAN became Japan’s first 1-ton class cargo EV to obtain a green license plate and commence operations.
Company Overview
- Name: folofly Co., Ltd.
- Established: August 3, 2021
- Representative: Hiroyasu Koma, CEO
- Capital: ¥9,240,000,000 (including capital reserve)
- Headquarters: 36-1 Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Kyoto University International Science Innovation Building)
- Business: Development and sales of electric vehicles