Low-emission Vehicles Catch On Faster Than Expected

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIAC), on June 26, 2009, released an interim assessment report on the policy, "Creating the World Most Advanced 'Low-Emissions Vehicle' society," which was implemented in 2004 in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), and the Ministry of the Environment, with the aim of increasing the number of low-emission vehicles to 10 million and the number of fuel cell vehicles to 50,000 by the year 2010. While the spread of low-emission vehicles reached the numerical target ahead of schedule, only 42 fuel cell vehicles had been sold by the end of fiscal 2007, significantly less than the target.

Field research among auto manufacturers, dealers, and users shows that the number of low-emission vehicles owned -- natural gas vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, methanol-fueled vehicles, the ministry approved fuel efficient and low-emission vehicles -- reached the target at the end of fiscal 2005, and the total units sold hit 16.47 million at the end of fiscal 2007.

However, ministry approved fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles account for 97 percent of such vehicles. With respect to natural gas and electric vehicles, issues regarding vehicle prices and the fueling infrastructure have been pointed out.

The assessment suggests that the ministries need to consider the particular characteristics of each kind of vehicle in order to create a society with low-emission vehicles.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIAC) official website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/english/

Posted: 2009/11/08 06:00:15 AM