As of 1 April 2016[update], 101 EF210s were operated by JR Freight, based at Shin-Tsurumi (Kawasaki), Suita (Osaka), and Okayama depots.

A number of minor improvements were incorporated, with the main external differences from the prototype being as follows.

[2] The EF210-100 sub-class incorporates a number of minor improvements, including the use of single-arm pantographs, and IGBT replacing GTO.

EF210-100s are based at Okayama, Shin-Tsurumi, and Suita (Osaka) depots, with 73 locomotives in operation as of 1 April 2016[update].

[2] The EF210-300 subclass was introduced from March 2013 to replace the dedicated Class EF67 banking locomotives that assist freight trains on the steeply-graded "Senohachi" section of the Sanyō Main Line between Seno and Hachihonmatsu.