Osaka Autonomous Bus Trial Switches to Diesel After EV Safety Issues
Osaka Metro abandoned its plan to use EV Motors Japan electric buses in an autonomous vehicle trial in Osaka's Minami-Kawachi region after the vehicles experienced repeated malfunctions. The trial will instead use Hino Poncho diesel buses, conducting driverless testing starting July 2026 to verify safe autonomous operation.
What happened
Osaka Metro and the Osaka Prefectural Government announced on June 18, 2026, that an autonomous bus trial in the Minami-Kawachi region would use a Hino Poncho diesel bus instead of the planned EV Motors Japan (EVMJ) electric bus.
The original EVMJ EV bus, manufactured by a Chinese company under contract, had experienced repeated vehicle malfunctions. Osaka Metro discontinued plans to use all 190 units and deemed the vehicles unsafe for deployment.
Reported impact
Test running with driver supervision and no passengers is scheduled to begin in July 2026 using two Hino Poncho buses for approximately five months.
The trial aims to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving (full automation under specific conditions) by the end of fiscal year 2028, using autonomous driving technology developed during the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
Index analysis
The switch from EV to diesel reflects a safety-first approach after the EVMJ vehicles proved unreliable. Osaka Metro stated that deploying EV vehicles during the trial period was difficult given domestic conditions.
Governance controls
The decision to change vehicle types and proceed with testing was made through a council involving Osaka Prefecture and Osaka Metro, demonstrating coordination between government and transport operators on autonomous vehicle safety.
Test operation will proceed at automation Level 2, with a driver able to take control of the steering, brakes, and other functions as needed, rather than attempting full autonomy from the start.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.