Two Milestones in EV Evolution: Osaka Expo 1970 & 2025
- AYAKA TSUCHIYA
- 3 時間前
- 読了時間: 5分
The 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka / Kansai Expo) will mark the second time the World Expo is held in Osaka, following the first in 1970. Over the past half century, both Expos have shared a common mission: to present technological innovations and visions for the future of society to the world.
One of the key areas drawing attention is the electrification of the automotive industry, particularly the development of EVs (electric vehicles). In recent years, as interest in carbon neutrality and sustainability has grown, transformation in the mobility sector has become an unavoidable issue.
Even at the 1970 Osaka Expo, numerous EVs were introduced for transporting visitors and managing facilities, capturing public attention as the vehicles of the future. Now, in 2025, the Expo aims to once again highlight next-generation mobility by showcasing more advanced EVs, autonomous vehicles, and hydrogen-based technologies.
Why are two Osaka Expos considered important milestones in the development of EV? Focusing in particular on the initiatives of Daihatsu Motor Co., it explores the significance of their efforts in this context.
Expo 1970 as the Beginning of EV Promotion
EVs were already a focus of attention at the 1970 Osaka Expo. Daihatsu Motor supplied 275 electric vehicles (EVs) to be used as taxis circulating the venue and as transport vehicles for carrying materials. Their speed was extraordinarily slow, around 6 to 8 kilometers per hour. Daihatsu had started EV development as early as 1965, ahead of other companies. This project was initiated by then-president Yuji Koishi, who aimed to reduce air pollution and environmental degradation caused by the rapid spread of gasoline-powered cars. After about three years of development, in 1968–69, EVs based on the mini-vehicle Fellow Van were offered to Kansai Electric Power Company.
Not only as taxis for visitors, Daihatsu’s EVs were also utilized as press cars for transporting broadcasting equipment and patrol cars for facility management within the Expo grounds. The fact that EVs were used this way reflected the Expo’s role as a “showcase of future lifestyles.” After the Expo 1970, these EVs were used as hotel shuttles, golf course carts, and administrative vehicles in government offices.
Although EVs did not become widespread nationally at the time, this was clearly a moment that marked a solid step toward today’s electric vehicles.
Involvement of Japanese Automakers in Expo 2025
At Expo 2025 Osaka, Daihatsu’s next-generation mobility vehicle, the e‑SNEAKER, is drawing significant attention. A total of 150 units have been deployed on-site, primarily to support individuals with mobility challenges, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Designed with an upright structure for easy boarding and equipped with safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, the e‑SNEAKER also includes a removable lithium-ion battery. By introducing this vehicle not merely as an exhibit but as a practical, daily-use mobility solution within the Expo grounds, Daihatsu is demonstrating how the Expo serves as a testing ground for future technologies in real-life settings. This initiative clearly shows that electric vehicles (EVs) are evolving from experimental technologies to central components of modern mobility integrated into everyday life.
Why Expo Facilitates EV Development
Expos play a crucial role in advancing electric vehicle (EV) technologies by providing a platform to showcase forward-thinking innovations in a manner that is closely aligned with real-world applications. For example, the 1970 Osaka Expo introduced visitors to electric vehicles for the first time, broadening awareness of the potential of this technology. The 2025 Expo is expected to allow the general public to experience EV-related technologies such as autonomous driving and charging, facilitating a deeper understanding of an EV-based society. This shift from demonstration to real-world experience is expected to accelerate the adoption of EV technologies.
Moreover, Expos serve as a "testbed" for collaboration among businesses, local governments, and national authorities. The scale and international attention of the Expo create a unique opportunity for diverse stakeholders to come together and conduct practical demonstrations of EV technologies. This collaborative environment allows for the testing and evaluation of these technologies, providing valuable insights into their commercial viability and societal integration, thus speeding up the process of their implementation. Furthermore, the Expo has significant media and international outreach potential. The 1970 Expo was an important venue for the global presentation of cutting-edge technologies, influencing subsequent technological advancements. Similarly, the 2025 Expo will focus on the context of decarbonization and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with EV technologies being central to this discourse. As a result, the international exposure of EV technologies is expected to increase, fostering a greater global understanding and appreciation of their importance.
In this way, Expos play a pivotal role in advancing the development and dissemination of EV technologies, facilitating their recognition and integration into society.
Challenges: Limitations and Risks of EV Technologies at Expo
The introduction of EV technologies at the Expo presents several challenges and risks. First, there is a gap between technology implementation and on-site operations. On July X, a manually operated EV bus suddenly started moving without a driver. This incident highlighted that even advanced technology can pose risks if operational systems and safety protocols are not adequately developed. Managing safety is especially important because the Expo attracts people of many nationalities, and harming someone could lead to international problems.
Next, there is a distance between overly advanced technologies and their societal implementation. For example, new technologies such as wireless charging while driving EVs are being used at the Osaka Expo. In on-the-road power charging, in which EVs are charged as they drive, power is supplied from a transmission coil buried in the road to a receiving coil on the vehicle side using a magnetic field resonance method. That sounds good, but a number of cost, regulatory, and safety-related issues must be resolved before it can be realistically and widely commercialized. These technologies may be breakthroughs prepared for the Expo, and it is difficult to assess from the exhibit alone whether they are truly ready for everyday use. Some technologies may require a cautious approach before they can be integrated into society for widespread use. Expos allow for unique demonstrations and collaborations, but careful verification is needed before these innovations can be applied to real life. The technologies exhibited need to be adapted to a wider range of sustainable uses, not limited to Expo-only applications. Expos demonstrate the development of cutting-edge technologies, but the introduction of these technologies into society requires coordination and time. Even if a technology is shown to be so advanced, whether or not it will be widely used will depend on the precise efforts required to introduce it into society.
A Long Road, But a Golden Opportunity
The introduction of EV technology at Expos has spanned 55 years, from 1970 to 2025, with both years marking significant milestones for EV development. Particularly, 2025 is a pivotal year for the social implementation of EV technology, as it marks the period when the actual deployment and widespread adoption of EV technologies will accelerate. In this process, international events play a crucial role as catalysts for the dissemination of technology and societal transformation, significantly supporting the adoption of EV technologies. One example of this is BMW Group, which has provided its electric vehicles, the BMW i7 and BMW iX, as VIP transport vehicles for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. These electric vehicles, being environmentally friendly, have been highly regarded for their ability to captivate VIPs from around the world, making them the ideal choice for VIP transportation during the Expo. Going forward, international automotive events such as the Japan Mobility Show are expected to continue playing a key role in accelerating the adoption and social implementation of EV technologies.
