TOKYO - 7-Eleven stores in Japan will soon launch a new home delivery service using one-seat Toyota electric cars, an effort to assist the country€™s ageing population, Yahoo! Philippines reports.
"Given the ageing of the Japanese population and the disappearance of smaller, local shops, there are increasing numbers of people who struggle with their daily shopping," said a spokesperson for Seven & I Holdings Co., the operator of Japan€™s 7-Eleven chain.
Nearly 30 million people in Japan are aged 65 or over, 23% of the country€™s population and an all-time high. The proportion is projected to reach 40% of the country€™s population by 2060, according to a government report.
Beginning in August, stores will deploy 200 single-seater COMS electric cars to make the deliveries.
The mini-car is manufactured by Toyota and costs roughly $8,370. It features a six-hour charge and 50-kilometer (31 miles) range.