Electrification/Green transformation (GX)

Committee:
Automobile
status:
Progress
Published:
We are extremely grateful that the government has implemented the subsidy program for purchasing xEVs seamlessly and continuously in the FY2024 budget (FY2023 supplementary budget), and has also requested approximately 100 billion yen for FY2025. Additionally, the government launched a study group last year on promoting the development of charging infrastructure. In response, the system was revised in September 2024, making it possible to charge at high-voltage, high output (DC 1,000V/350kW) on par with Europe and the United States. In addition, Tokyo and other local governments are expanding subsidies for purchasing xEVs. Starting in 2025, Tokyo will require the installation of charging equipment in all new apartment buildings.

Recommendations

  • We would like to request that the government continue to provide uninterrupted support for subsidies for the purchase of xEVs and that broad and flexible consideration be given in the review of eligibility requirements. In order to achieve carbon neutrality, it is important not only to focus on electrified passenger cars, but also on electrified commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks and using hydrogen.
  • Furthermore, from the perspective of shortening charging time and increasing convenience for users, it is necessary to improve the charging conditions by quantitatively and qualitatively expanding basic charging, en-route charging, and destination charging, and particularly by implementing measures such as deregulation aimed at increasing output power. Specifically, we request the following:
    • The current basic charging system is still insufficient, so improve basic charging facilities, including those in apartment complexes, and public charging facilities around residential areas to supplement them.
    • In suburban areas, the majority of users live in detached houses, but since there is currently no subsidy for installing standard chargers, subsidies for basic charging equipment, including for detached houses, should be
    • Early realization of expanding subsidies for standard chargers over 6kW
    • Early realization of institutional deregulation for high-voltage chargers, etc. and expansion of subsidies for chargers installed in shopping malls, etc.
    • Supporting the promotion of installing chargers on public roads
    • Eliminating congestion on expressways due to en-route charging (e.g. proactively utilizing chargers off expressways near interchanges)
    • Development of charging infrastructure for mechanical parking systems, including tower parking systems, in urban areas, which remains an urgent issue.
  • If an institutional framework is considered to promote the recycling and reuse of batteries, it will be important to establish an appropriate scheme so that imported vehicles will be able to comply. If calculation of the carbon footprint (CPF) of batteries is required, we would like you to consider introducing it in an internationally harmonized manner.