The Japanese government plans to introduce new regulations in the 2030 fiscal year (FY2030) requiring automakers to improve average fuel efficiency by over 30% from FY2016 levels. 

According to local reports, the new regulations are designed to increase the proportion of low- and zero-emission vehicle sales in the country, including all electric, plug-in hybrid and ultimately hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to between 20% and 30% of total vehicle sales by that year.

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Government data shows electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for just 1% of total vehicle sales in 2017.

The new regulations were announced jointly by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Monday at a transportation industry advisory council meeting.

They will set the average petrol fuel efficiency target at 25.4 km/litre in FY2030 – an improvement of some 32% compared with 19.2 km/litre in FY2016.

The ministries plan to revise the relevant legislation in the current fiscal year.

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