The Class EF62 (EF62形) is a Co′Co′ wheel arrangement DC electric locomotive type built between 1962 and 1969 for use hauling passenger and freight on the Shinetsu Main Line and particularly over the extreme 66.7‰, (6.67%), gradient of the Usui Pass between Yokokawa and Karuizawa.

While high adhesion was clearly an important requirement, the locos had to be designed with a low axle load (16 t, compared to 18 t for the EF63s) allowing them to be used on other sections of the Shinetsu Main Line with stricter axle-load restrictions.

The EF62s were able to operate over the entire route from Ueno to Nagano, and were thus seen on a wide range of duties from freight to express passenger workings.

Two members of the class, EF62 12 and 35, suffered an early demise when they were withdrawn following an accident in which they and two EF63s overturned after running away down the Usui Pass section.

The capacity and speed restrictions of the Usui Pass still represented a serious bottleneck, and in 1984, all freight operations over the section were discontinued and rerouted via the Chūō Main Line.