[Unveiled at “Mt. Fuji EV Festa” held in Shizuoka Prefecture]
NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) has started a public road EV demonstration project by unveiling the first microcompact, two-seater electric vehicle (EV) equipped with NTN's own “In-wheel Motor System” registered as a light vehicle in Japan on August 1 at “Mt. Fuji EV Festa”.
Mt. Fuji EV Festa was held as part of efforts to increase awareness of environmental conservation activities following the registration of Mt. Fuji as a world heritage site, as well as the “Fujinokuni EV/PHV Town Concept” initiative organized by Shizuoka Prefecture with the aim of popularizing EVs. The microcompact, two-seater EV equipped with NTN's In-wheel Motor System acquired a light vehicle registration number following further development and testing after it was driven during the opening ceremony*1 of the New Tomei Expressway in April last year. Shizuoka Prefectural Governor Kawakatsu rode in the EV as it took the role of lead parade vehicle in “Mt. Fuji EV Festa” on August 1.
In January this year, NTN successfully completed a social demonstration test*2 of the In-wheel Motor System for modified electric vehicles (converted EV) over approximately one year with the cooperation of Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, while a demonstration project*3 began from June in collaboration with Annecy City in France (where the NTN-SNR head office is located) after acquiring official certification for electric microcars in Europe.
NTN has utilized the technology it has gained through research and development into bearings, as well as maximized the strength of the world's No. 1 share in hub bearings to advance development of the In-wheel Motor System and other system products for next-generation vehicles such as EVs and environmentally friendly vehicles. Conducting demonstration projects in Japan and Europe, where development and business plans for next-generation vehicles are more advanced, will help accelerate development and business plans of cutting-edge technology designed for the commercialization of EV system products, while also increasing the number of activities designed to popularize the microcompact mobility more quickly.
*1 : New Tomei Expressway opening ceremony
http://www.ntn.co.jp/english/news/news_files/press/news201200033.html
*2 : Converted EV demonstration project in Iwata City
http://www.ntn.co.jp/english/news/news_files/press/news201300022.html
*3 : Demonstration project in Annecy City, France
http://www.ntn.co.jp/english/news/news_files/press/news201300059.html
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