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- Council for Promoting Society Utilizing of Electrified Vehicles to be launched
Council for Promoting Society Utilizing of Electrified Vehicles to be launched
Effort for encouraging public and private sector cooperation to disseminate information and encourage societal use of electrified vehicles
April 8, 2019
Japan urgently needs to take global-level measures against climate change and disseminate electrified vehicles (xEVs)* from the viewpoint of energy conservation. In particular, Japanese society has high hopes for utilizing technology for charging or supplying electricity for battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles not only in case of disasters but also as part of the energy system. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), in collaboration with car manufacturers, energy companies, companies, municipalities and other entities proactively engaging in efforts for utilizing of xEVs, decided to launch a new body called the “Council for Promoting Society Utilizing of Electrified Vehicles” to advance dissemination of xEVs and address such social expectations. Through this effort, METI aims to establish a society in which low carbonization, dispersed energy sources, robust vehicles and energy are integrated.
1. Background
Japan urgently needs to take global-level measures against climate change and disseminate xEVs from the viewpoint of energy conservation. In particular, Japanese society has been raising expectations for utilizing of functions for charging or supplying electricity for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles not only in case of disasters but also as part of the energy system.
The Growth Strategy 2018 released by the government of Japan sets the following numerical targets for achieving the dissemination of clean energy vehicles across Japan by 2030. Moreover, the interim report compiled by the Strategy Meeting for the New Era of Automobiles in July 2018 upholds a long-term goal that Japan should achieve environmental performance of Japanese vehicles in global markets at the world’s highest level by 2050.
*Note: Electrified vehicles (xEVs) include: battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Numerical targets for achieving the dissemination of next-generation vehicles across Japan by 2030
Interim report compiled by the Strategy Meeting for the New Era of Automotive (released on July 24, 2018)
2. Outline of the Council for Promoting Society Utilizing of Electrified Vehicles
METI, in collaboration with car manufacturers, energy companies, companies, municipalities and other entities proactively engaging in efforts for utilizing of xEVs, decided to launch a new body called the “Council for Promoting Society Utilizing of Electrified Vehicles” to advance dissemination of xEVs and address the social expectations mentioned above.
Through sharing information on best practices and collaboration between member companies, the council will advance discussions on: methods, technologies and uncovering challenges therein for efficient and effective use of xEVs; ; expansion of secondary use of recycled batteries mounted on xEVs; and use cases involving effective utilization of xEVs as commercial vehicles.
Through this effort, METI aims to establish a society in which low carbonization, dispersed energy sources, robust vehicles and energy are integrated.
3. Members of the council
The council will consist of a broad range of representatives from municipalities, companies and other entities who agree with the purpose of the council and are willing to share information on current situations of their own efforts and challenges. METI will release details of the plan for operating the council, such as requirements that members should meet, moving forward.
Reference 1: Member companies and other entities of the council (38 organizations as of April 8, 2019)
ASKUL Corporation; AEON MALL Co., Ltd.; Isuzu Motors Limited; Iwatani Corporation; Subaru Corporation; Daikyo Astage Incorporated; Takenaka Corporation; Toshiba Corporation; Michinori Holdings; Ricoh Company, Ltd.; Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.; Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated; Nippon Charge Service, LLC; JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation; Suzuki Motor Corporation; Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service Company, Limited; Sekisui House, Ltd.; Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.; Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.; Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.; Toyota Motor Corporation; Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.; Nippon Car Solutions Co., Ltd.; Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union; Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation; Japan Post Co., Ltd.; Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.; Park24 Co., Ltd.; Panasonic Corporation; Hino Motors, Ltd.; Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Mazda Motor Corporation; Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation; Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.; Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.; Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.; and UD Trucks Corp.
Reference 2: Member municipalities of the council (10 municipalities as of April 8, 2019)
Aichi Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Saitama City, Chiba City, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tottori Prefecture, Nerima Ward and Yokohama City
4. Link to related information (URL)
Division in Charge
Batteries and Next Generation Technology Office, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau