Honda MEV-Van electric delivery van concept with removable batteries

Japanese car maker Honda is about to unveil the MEV-Van electric delivery van concept which is expected to feature removable batteries for greater versatility. The MEV-Van concept will be tested with removable batteries in actual delivery operations in Japan. The new electric van concept is expected to be showcased at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show ahead of the tests.

The Honda MEV-Van is an experimental, fully electric version of the N-Van. It is retrofitted with removable batteries and will be tested in collaboration with Japan’s Yamato Transport. Yamato is Japan’s largest door-to-door delivery service company. The Honda N-Van transformed into a production vehicle and was unveiled last month.

The MEV-Van concept has a fully electric powertrain and its Honda Power Pack e-modules can be removed for charging. The battery packs are mounted under the cabin floor of the electric van, and secured by a set of hatches. The MEV-Van lacks a charging port on the front grille and this may provide some challenges. The choice of a removable system of batteries eliminates the long standby time for charging. It also reduces the imbalance of peak power usage.

The range of the Honda MEV-Van has not been announced but it is expected to be lower than the 210km range of the Honda N-Van standard model. Honda will use solar panels for charging the EV and the demonstration of the MEV-Van concept will take place next month. It will be tested in collection and delivery operations to establish its sufficiency for professional use.

Honda continues to pursue a carbon-neutral future by 2050. The N-Van has undergone trials ahead of its unveiling in Japan in spring 2024. Honda has not provided the production trajectory for the MEV-Van electric concept yet.

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