Fuel Economy Standards for trucks and buses were drawn up on March 17, 2006 in a joint effort of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. These are the world¡Çs first fuel economy standards for trucks and buses. Fuel economy standards have been incorporated into ordinances, ministry directives and notification procedures relating to the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy for diesel-burning heavy-duty vehicles over 3.5 tons, including both freight trucks and passenger vehicles carrying 11 or more persons. These standards are informally called "Top Runner Standards."

Automakers and importers are now required to improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty vehicles in order to increase their "Weighted Harmonic Average," a fuel efficiency indicator obtained by dividing the total fuel consumption value by the volume shipped, to higher than a standard value by the target year of fiscal 2015.

Catalogs for late model cars on the market since April 2006 show specific fuel economy values for each automobile. Starting from fiscal 2005, fuel-efficient cars bear a sticker showing their fuel efficiency, a system promoted with the cooperation of automakers. This system will now be applied to targeted trucks and buses that meet the new standards.

Achievement of these standards will result in Weighted Harmonic Average fuel efficiency values for heavy-duty vehicles shipped in fiscal year 2015 that are about 12.2% better compared to the same number of vehicles in the same categories shipped in fiscal 2002.

http://www.meti.go.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/06/30 10:57:15 PM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Government , Transportation