Liuzhou Wuling Automobile Industry Company has won an order to produce 7,200 battery powered small vans from Japanese delivery firm Sagawa Express, according to reports in China.

The delivery giant said it planned to switch its entire fleet of 7,000 delivery vehicles to electric by 2030 to cut carbon emissions. It was the first delivery company in Japan to commit to zero-emission vehicles.

The deal, announced by Wuling, is the largest foray into the Japanese electric vehicle (EV) market by any foreign company.

The EV local delivery van was developed jointly by Sagawa Express and Japanese electric vehicle startup ASF and has a range of 200km (120 miles) on a single charge.

Wuling, based in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said production was scheduled to start in September 2022.

Key features include a wide driver seat and extra boot space for goods and equipment.

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Wuling Automobile is known for making special vehicles such as electric golf carts and sightseeing vehicles. It also provides electric drive components to local automakers such as SAIC-GM-Wuling.

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