In a major milestone for its global EV strategy, Hyundai Motor has made its first-ever commercial delivery of zero-emission ‘Elec City Town’ electric buses to Japan’s Iwasaki Group, reinforcing its push toward sustainable public transportation.
The South Korean automaker delivered five electric buses to Tanegashima-Yakushima Kotsu Co., a subsidiary of Iwasaki Group, during a formal ceremony held in Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture. The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon, Hyundai Mobility Japan head Toshiyuki Shimegi, and Iwasaki Group CEO Yoshitaro Iwasaki.
Chang emphasized Yakushima’s unique environmental significance, calling it “a special place where the value of sustainable mobility shines.” Iwasaki echoed this sentiment, noting the buses would “set a new standard for local transportation” and promote harmony between environmental preservation and economic revitalization.
The medium-sized, low-floor Elec City Town buses are powered by a 145 kWh battery and feature a high-efficiency motor, designed to operate efficiently in ecologically sensitive zones. Yakushima, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, offers a pristine setting for deploying such green transport technologies.
Hyundai first signed a letter of intent with the Iwasaki Group in July 2024, signaling the start of a broader collaboration. The initiative supports Kagoshima Prefecture’s vision of transforming Yakushima into a zero-emission island by 2050.
On April 20, Hyundai also signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with local authorities to promote EV adoption, including use of the buses’ vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities to supply emergency power during natural disasters.
This landmark delivery not only expands Hyundai’s footprint in Japan but also serves as a benchmark for clean, resilient, and community-integrated mobility solutions.
