Alfresa and Yamato Transport will conduct a demonstration experiment from August 18th to 29th to deliver pharmaceuticals using small electric trucks and transport equipment with insulation and cooling functions.
<Transportation equipment with insulation and cooling functions to be used in the demonstration (left) and a small EV truck>
The demonstration will take place at Alfresa's Fuchu Plant (Fuchu City, Tokyo), using a Hino Dutro Z EV with a maximum load capacity of 1 ton.
Yamato Transport will provide transport equipment equipped with a small, mobile refrigeration unit called "D-mobico," which offers insulation and cooling functions without the use of dry ice.
<Demonstration Image>
In the demonstration, cases containing pharmaceuticals will first be loaded onto transport equipment with insulation and cooling functions at the Alfresa Fuchu Plant.
Yamato Transport loads these onto small electric trucks and delivers them at a controlled temperature to the hospitals where they are being delivered.
The initiative stems from the fact that extreme summer heat has become commonplace due to recent abnormal weather patterns, making temperature control of pharmaceuticals a challenge. The project also aims to create an environmentally conscious distribution network as part of its decarbonization efforts.
Based on the data obtained from this demonstration, Alfresa will consider introducing the equipment and delivery operations used in the future. They also want to consider using renewable energy to power the system.
Furthermore, the Yamato Group is considering adding the equipment used in this demonstration to its lineup of "EV Lifecycle Services," which support the decarbonization efforts of businesses that use vehicles.
