SMM: it is reported that as Japan joins the ranks of countries to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions, the country will make all new cars sold are environmentally friendly vehicles by 2035.
(The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), Japan's Ministry of economy, Trade and Industry, is considering stopping the sale of traditional cars driven by pure internal combustion engines and switching to hybrid and electric vehicles from 2035 as part of the country's broader goal of achieving social zero emissions by 2050. The government plans to take a crucial step towards this ideal by forcing the use of electric models to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
It is reported that the Japanese government will gather experts and auto industry executives to hold a meeting this month, then announce the policy and work out specific measures for the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles.
In 2018, car emissions accounted for 16% of Japan's total carbon dioxide emissions, while aircraft, ships and trains accounted for only 3% or less. Currently, Japan requires carmakers to increase the fuel efficiency of their cars by 30 per cent by the end of fiscal year 2030. However, the Japanese government now believes that stricter measures are needed if it is to achieve zero emissions.
At present, many countries and regions have indicated that they plan to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and promote electric vehicles from 2030. For example, the UK will ban the sale of gasoline-and diesel-fueled cars in 2030 and hybrids in 2035; California will ban the sale of new gasoline vehicles in 2035; France will announce similar measures in 2040; and China is considering making all new cars sold environmentally friendly by 2035, with pure electric vehicles accounting for half of new car sales and hybrids accounting for the other half.
In Japan, hybrid models are also considered environmentally friendly and will not be banned by the government, and carmakers such as Toyota have made advanced hybrid systems the backbone of their new energy strategies, a far cry from the 2035 ban in the UK.
In order to promote the shift from gasoline vehicles to electric and hybrid vehicles, it is important to reduce the price of lithium-ion batteries. To that end, the Japanese government is considering tax breaks for companies that invest in battery production facilities to help achieve zero emissions targets.
Japanese carmakers are accelerating the shift to alternative energy vehicles. Toyota plans to launch electric versions of all models by 2025, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell versions, with a goal of selling 5.5 million electric models worldwide by 2025. This year, Toyota began selling more than 10 electric vehicles, which accounted for 40% of Toyota and Lexus' total car sales in Japan last year.
Nissan plans to increase hybrid and electric vehicles from 30 per cent of its total domestic sales to 60 per cent by 2023, with only a hybrid version of the Note compact car launched this month. Meanwhile, Honda plans to electrify 2/3 of all new cars sold, and this year Honda began selling its first mass-produced electric car, the Honda e.
