On December 26, Pal System Tokyo introduced an electric vehicle (EV) truck at its Koto Center, a distribution hub in Koto Ward, Tokyo, which uses thinned timber from the Minamitsuru Forestry Cooperative in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture, as flooring material for the cargo bed.
<EV Trucks Introduced>
The EV truck delivered to the Koto Center is the "ISUZU ELFmio EV" manufactured by Isuzu Motors. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions by switching from gasoline-powered vehicles, the use of domestically produced thinned timber for the cargo bed flooring will further reduce the environmental impact.
The flooring material for typical truck beds is often imported timber from Southeast Asia, which is highly durable and water-resistant. However, while it is inexpensive, it presents challenges such as environmental damage due to excessive logging and CO2 emissions from long-distance transportation.
By utilizing thinned Japanese red pine timber produced in the forests of Minamitsuru, which is close to the Kanto region, it will not only reduce CO2 emissions during transportation but also contribute to a sustainable forest cycle within the region.
In January 2014, Pal System Federation concluded a direct partnership with Minamitsuru Forestry Cooperative, the first of its kind in a forestry production area. Users and staff members have visited the production area to spread understanding of the importance of activities such as satoyama (traditional rural landscape) regeneration and forest maintenance through thinning.
The use of thinned timber for truck flooring was realized through collaboration with Sugawa Body, a vehicle body manufacturer.
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