Guidelines for Promoting the Development of EV Charging Infrastructure Formulated

Overview

The Government of Japan has set the goal of all sales of new passenger vehicles by 2035 being electrified vehicles.* The goal will encourage both the widespread adoption of clean energy vehicles and the installation of EV chargers and other infrastructure as the twin driving forces for this goal.

*Note: Electrified vehicles = EVs, FCVs, PHEVs, and HEVs

EV chargers are necessary precursors for the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles. In June 2023, METI launched a “Study Group for Promoting the Development of EV Charging Infrastructure” in order to share with stakeholders the prospects for the development of EV charging infrastructure that is highly convenient and sustainable over the medium- to long-term, and to identify measures to be taken to solve the challenges involved, taking into consideration the potential for increasing the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles, improvements in EV performance, and other factors.

Based on the opinions in the study group, METI compiled the “Draft Guidelines for Promoting the Development of EV Charging Infrastructure.” Following this, it called for public comments on the draft guidelines from August 30 to September 28, 2023, and then finally formulated the “Guidelines for Promoting the Development of EV Charging Infrastructure.”

The basic idea and key points of the guidelines are as follows:

Basic idea

Japan aims to develop a society with EV charging infrastructure that is highly convenient and sustainable, on par with the rest of the world, comprehensively taking into account the three principles of "improving user convenience," "making EV charging businesses more independent and sophisticated,” and "reducing burdens on society as a whole.” 

Key points

1. Setting a goal on par with other countries: Doubling the current target number of EV chargers to be installed
2. Higher power output: Installing EV chargers with an output of at least 90 kW up to 150 kW along expressways, while also installing EV chargers with an output of 50 kW or more along non-expressways as a criterion
3. Ensuring efficient installation of EV chargers: Prioritizing cost-effective projects
4. Measures involving regulations and systems.: Achieving a more sustainable fee system for both users and businesses, including achieving a pay-per-use system with a goal of starting the service from FY2025

Released Materials

• Guidelines for Promoting Development of EV Charging Infrastructure (in Japanese)(PDF:1,197KB)
• Reference material (in Japanese)(PDF:5,199KB)

Related Link

• Study Group for Promoting Development of EV Charging Infrastructure (METI)

Division in Charge

Strategy Planning Office, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau