Hyundai Motor Company is contributing to the transition of Yakushima, Japan – known as the Alps on the Sea – into a zero-emission island by implementing an eco-friendly mobility solution model.
On Monday, Hyundai Motors held an Elec City Town Handover Ceremony at the Iwasaki Hotel in Yakushima. During the event, the company agreed to supply five zero-emission electric buses, Elec City Town, to the Tanegashima Yakushima Kotsu, a transportation company operated by the Iwasaki Group.
This follows Hyundai Motor’s announcement last July of its plans to enter the Japanese commercial electrification market through a partnership with the Iwasaki Group, which operates transportation and tourism services primarily in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 80 people, including Hyundai Motors Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon, Hyundai Mobility Japan (HMJ) head Toshiyuki Shimegi, and Iwasaki Group President and CEO Yoshitaro Iwasaki.
Vice Chairman Chang emphasized that unique environments like Yakushima are where mobility solutions can truly demonstrate their value and that the aim is to showcase a model where the environment, technology, and local communities coexist harmoniously with the world.
CEO Iwasaki stated that they intend to make Elec City Town the new standard for local transportation, achieving a balance between environmental conservation and local economic revitalization.
Yakushima, situated at the southwestern tip of the Japanese archipelago, is about a quarter the size of Jeju Island, South Korea. Known for its stunning natural beauty, it’s a world-renowned eco-tourism destination. Kagoshima Prefecture, which includes Yakushima, plans to convert all vehicles on the island to zero-emission vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs).
Hyundai Motors expects that supplying Elec City Town buses will support Yakushima’s carbon neutrality goals and serve as a mobility solution that harmonizes the environment, technology, and local communities.
The company also believes that the V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) function of Elec City Town, which allows EVs to serve as power sources for homes, will significantly help mitigate blackouts during emergencies. On Sunday, Hyundai Motors signed a comprehensive agreement with Yakushima regarding the utilization of EVs and the V2H function.
The Elec City Town is a 9-meter (29.5-foot) medium-sized, low-floor electric bus specifically developed for local conditions. It’s equipped with a 145 kWh battery and a high-efficiency motor that delivers a maximum output of 160 kW. The bus comes standard with a Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system for stable driving on mountainous roads and features advanced battery management technology and cooling systems to optimize charging efficiency and driving range.
Starting in June, these vehicles will operate on the Tanegashima-Yakushima route, connecting key locations such as Yakushima Airport, Miyanoura Port, and the Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge.
A Hyundai Motors spokesperson commented that it’s particularly meaningful that Elec City Town buses will operate as route buses in Yakushima, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Natural Heritage site. This initiative will strengthen its position as a leading electrification brand while contributing to the local community by helping reduce carbon emissions.