TOKYO – Japan plans to halt sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the mid-2030s, criticized by Toyota Motor. Corp
Fast shifts to major or electric vehicles could cripple the car industry.
The plan, released on Friday, had similar steps taken by the state of California and major European countries, but has faced opposition from the country’s auto executives who still make millions of cars annually that run on gasoline engines alone.
Under the plan, Japan will also allow sales of hybrid gas-electric cars after 2035. Many models from Japan’s top car manufacturers – Toyota, Honda Motor Co.
And Nissan Motor Co.
Revenue in both traditional and hybrid versions.
Earlier this month, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said that if Japan bans gasoline-powered cars and moves to electric vehicles too soon, “the current business model of the car industry is breaking down.” He spoke on behalf of Japanese automakers in his role as head of the local industry association.
Mr Toyoda said the electricity grid could not meet the additional demand of the summer and observed that most of Japan’s electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels.
Government officials said carmakers need to improve their business models. Prime Minister Yoshihid Suga drew attention to a different part of Mr. Toyoda’s remarks in which the head of Toyota said he supported the government’s goal of making Japan carbon-neutral by 2050. Reducing carbon emissions “should be tackled as a growth strategy, not as a limit on growth,” Mr Suga said.
Japan’s Christmas Day release, which includes plans to introduce 45 g gigawatts of offshore wind-power capacity by 2040, marks the end of a year in which the world’s major economies lag behind each other in setting targets for renewable energy and electric cars. .
In September, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in a video message to the United Nations that China would be carbon-neutral by 2060, meaning it would have zero emissions of carbon dioxide. A month later, Mr. Suga jumped ahead, pledging to do the same in the early decades, matching the EU target.
Japanese officials said carmakers must change their business models to accelerate shifts away from gas-powered vehicles. Traffic in Tokyo in April.
Photo:
Kimimasa Mayama / Shutterstock c
The Japanese government’s plan calls for all new cars sold in the country to be electrified by the mid-2030s. These include electric vehicles, hybrid gas-electric models, dolls and cars whose electricity is generated by hydrogen fuel cells. The plan says the cost of batteries should be reduced so that electric vehicles cost as much as gasoline-powered vehicles a decade from now.
The outline of the plan announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expressed concern that Europe and China were leapfrogging Japan. It noted that sales of EU electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles more than tripled to 270,000 in the EU in the July-September quarter, while the same figure for Japan was about 6,000.
“Japan lags far behind in vehicle electrification,” said Masaoshi Aray, a ministry official.
Japan’s auto executives are outraged by such statements, saying that Japan sells more hybrid gas-electric vehicles than any other country. Some question whether fully electric vehicles made by Tesla Inc.
The EV and its parts are more environmentally friendly than the hybrids given the carbon dioxide produced.
Honda executive Toshihiro Mibe, head of the industry conference on environmental technology, said it was not right for Japan to lag behind.
Japan’s move, along with those from China, Europe and California, has added pressure on global vehicle manufacturers to switch to electric vehicles more quickly, although many are now starving for gasoline-powered trucks and sport-utility vehicles. Getting its own profit from customers.
Toyota and Honda And Japan has unveiled specific plans for the mass market for electric vehicles, leaving Volkswagen’s choice behind. A.G.
, Which plans to invest about 86 86 billion in the development of electric vehicles and other new technologies over the next five years. Nissan says it will sell electric crossover SUV areas in the US and other markets next year.
Among the biggest climate commitments made by any nation, China has promised to remain carbon neutral by 2060. When Beijing finds it challenging to achieve its goal, China’s plans to become a green superpower are rife around the world. Example: Crystal Tai
The announcement comes as the United States prepares to increase federal investment in the development of electric vehicles under the Electricity Scheme, with President-elect Joe Biden set a goal to implement after taking office in January.
Mr Biden has promised to create 1 million new jobs in the auto industry, including the construction of electric vehicle charging stations. His energy release plan Calls for half a million new charging stations
The president-elect has said he wants U.S. investment in electric vehicle production. Hopes to use federal incentives, including tax, trade and investment policies, as well as research and development, to become a global leader.
He said they would encourage people to move towards more environmentally friendly vehicles by offering discounts and incentives to manufacturing facilities that make parts for less transport vehicles. It also wants to strengthen federal fuel-economy standards for vehicles.
Mr Biden’s presidential transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nd Andrew Restusia contributed to this article.
Write to [email protected] at Peter Landers and [email protected] at Chieko Tsunoka
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