(Corrects para 1 name of the automaker following 3DOM clarifies.

By Satoshi Sugiyama

TOKYO, Reuters – A Japanese start-up battery company announced Thursday that it will launch a fleet of commercial electric vehicles from China’s Geely Holding Group. This joins a growing number of services aiming to reduce companies’ carbon footprint.

3DOM Inc, a University-led venture based in Yokohama that was created to create separators for battery batteries, stated it would provide the carbon neutral EV services through subscription or lease. This will allow users to avoid paying high purchasing costs.

Investors are putting increasing pressure on businesses to cut their carbon footprint. Japanese automakers, including Chinese ones, have been leading the way with low-cost batteries electric cars.

Sagawa Express Co, a leading Japanese delivery company plans to replace all 7,200 mini-vehicles it has with EVs from Guangxi Automobile group this year. SBS Holdings also plans to purchase electric trucks made by Dongfeng Motor.

3DOM stated that the electricity to power Geely’s light commercial van will be generated from renewable energy and other green resources in collaboration with utility companies. According to 3DOM, the cost of running the vans for lease would not be as high as a fleet powered by gasoline.

3DOM claimed that it would include 7,500 vehicles. Several companies, including supermarket and delivery operators, were also considering the service. It didn’t elaborate.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp (OTC) is one of the Japanese carmakers that provides EVs to the post office. Toyota Motor Corp. has a trial program with convenience store owners to allow customers to fuel-cell hydrogen electric cars.