The EH500 is a two-secion electric locomotive for use under both 20 kV AC and 1.5 kV DC. This dual-system capability allows for more flexibility with varying demands on several lines and eliminates locomotive changes. With eight axles and an output of 4,000 kW, it can haul almost all freight trains in Japan without double-heading. Three-phase AC traction motors provide enough tractive effort at all speeds from zero to the top speed of 100 km/h.

The prototype numbered EH500-901 was built by Toshiba in 1997, followed by the pre-series batch with the numbers 1 and 2 in 2000. The next batch of numbers 3 to 9 was built in 2000 and 2001. The largest batch with 72 locomotives was built between 2001 and 2013, bringing the total to 82.Today most are based at Sendai and only some at Moji.