Best Electric Cars In Japan May Impact The Entire Global Market.
In a report released on September 8 by Greenpeace, a global environmental NGO, it became a hot topic that Japanese automakers ranked low in terms of climate change countermeasures. However, these rankings are always subjective. The Greenpeace report was a generous evaluation of efforts to popularize electric vehicles (EVs).
EV Boom Is Coming
According to the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA), EVs will account for 9.9% of new car registrations (passenger cars) in the EU in the first half of 2022, up from 9.1% for the full year of 2021 (Figure). On the other hand, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, EVs accounted for 1.3% of the number of new car registrations in Japan in the first half of 2022 (same). Greenpeace gives a low score.
Plug-in Hybrids
Though greenspace gives low scores, yet Plug-in hybrids (PHVs) are treated like EVs, accounted for 8.7% of new vehicle registrations in the first half of 2022 in Europe, but only 1.7% in Japan. However, for hybrids (HVs), Europe was 22.8%, while Japan was 47.1%. The HV should also be evaluated positively because it is a vehicle model suitable for climate change countermeasures.
Climate Change Considerations
In the wake of climate change, in Europe, diesel, which emits more greenhouse gases, still sells a lot, accounting for 17.4% of registrations in the first half of 2022. In Japan, however, diesel only accounts for 5.6%. From the viewpoint of climate change countermeasures, the use of diesel should be avoided, and Japan's low diesel ratio should be praised. There are various reasons for the slow spread of EVs in Japan. The delay in the expansion of charging points in Japan may be a reason that cannot be overlooked. There is one more important point. It is true that the spread of EVs is progressing in Europe, but this is a government-led trend, and the automobile industry does not necessarily agree.
Legal Issues
Concerns were also voiced by the automotive industry on June 8 when the European Union's legislative body, the European Parliament, supported a proposal to limit all new passenger cars and vans to zero-emission vehicles by 2035. was one after another. The proposal was prepared by the European Commission, the EU's executive body, in July 2021. However, ACEA and the European Auto Parts Industries Association (CLEPA) are concerned that their targets are too hasty, that technological innovation outside of EVs will be hindered, that competitiveness in overseas markets will decline, and that the He has repeatedly expressed concern about job losses.
EU Laws For EVs
There are concerns about job losses but center-right EPP (European People's Party Group), the largest faction in the European Parliament, has also taken these voices into account, lowering its target for supply of zero-emission vehicles to 90% by 2035 and setting a clear deadline for achieving 100%. submitted a realistic counterproposal to Congress. However, it met with opposition from environmental factions such as the European Green Group and the European Freedom League, and was rejected. EU,s income disparities are haunting car industry. ALSO READ
The EU has income disparities within the region, and if the supply of new vehicles is limited to EVs and FCVs (fuel cell vehicles) with high vehicle unit prices, it is not clear whether low-income countries in Southern and Eastern Europe will be able to respond to such changes. .As for the construction of charging points, the financial strength of each country is uneven, so progress is not uniform. Regarding this point, the EU is promoting EV conversion without showing an answer. Furthermore, the EV shift in Europe is facing a new hurdle, the energy crisis.
Cost Of Electricity Matters
The price of energy, especially electricity, in Europe has soared this year, as renewables are hit hard by bad weather and cuts in natural gas supplies from Russia. This is a strong headwind for the spread of EVs. Naturally, the electricity bill is cheaper for EVs. But now, Europe's electricity prices are at historic levels. European Commission President von der Leyen delivered a policy speech to parliament on September 14, announcing energy measures, but these did not lead to alleviation of the energy shortage.
HVs & Gasoline Vehicles Potential For Innovation
However, HVs and gasoline vehicles also have the potential for technological innovation, and the two major auto markets of the United States and China, which are the main export destinations, have left such a path (a path that allows hybrids instead of EVs). It is thought that this is also connected to the strategy of "Japanese automakers that are not biased toward EVs alone." Since the end of August, the Nord Stream gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany has been out of operation, and there is no prospect of it being restarted. Europe will run out of natural gas this winter.
The nuclear power plant in France, which had been the mainstay of the country's life, is also in trouble due to aging facilities and water shortages. If the winter of 2022 is severe, rolling blackouts will occur in many European countries.`Children born in 2020 are seven times more likely to experience a heat wave than those born in 1960'' Sense of crisis for the future of the earth.
Fuel Prices
“In 2020, on the other hand, the dollar-denominated international crude oil price, which surged due to Russia's progress in Ukraine, has already fallen to the level before the progress. Due to the appreciation of the dollar during this time, gasoline prices in each country will soon settle down. No. However, there is also the reality that gasoline is one of the few fuels that can be expected to be stable in an energy market where prices continue to rise.
HVs Are More Profitable Than EVs
In light of this situation, it is possible that HVs (hybrids), which can use gasoline, are more profitable than EVs in the short term. The spread of EVs is expected to hit the brakes once Furthermore, subsidies for EVs are also being cut in Europe. The German government plans to reduce subsidies applied to EV purchases from 2023 onwards and end them when the budget is exhausted. The decision strongly reflects the will of the hawkish Liberal Democratic Party (FDP), which forms part of the coalition government. Certainly, considering the current economic environment in Europe, it would be a reasonable decision.
High Inflation In Europe
Again, Europe ( in current economic environment ) is now suffering from high inflation, largely due to high energy prices. Under these circumstances, continuing the demand-stimulating policy of supporting the purchase of EVs is prohibited from the perspective of stabilizing inflation. The withdrawal of purchase support measures will be a headwind against the spread of EVs, but getting rid of inflation, which threatens the stability of life, should be prioritized. EV is getting popularity by everyday.
The spread of EVs in Europe has progressed smoothly, with the establishment of giga- -factories for automotive batteries one after another. However, it is likely that the brakes will be put on the brakes once exposed to headwinds such as high energy prices, especially electric power prices, and accompanying price hikes.
The Scope Of Evs
In light of the series of circumstances, the author believes that Japan, the United States, and China, which have left the road to HVs, can be evaluated as actually taking a more realistic path toward decarbonization. Graduated from the same school in 2006. As an economist, he conducts surveys and research on macroeconomics, economic policies, and political situations in emerging countries, mainly in Europe, such as Russia, Turkey, and other countries. Contributed to major economic magazines (including online), and recently published "What is dollarization?
The day the US dollar is used in Japan" (Chikuma Shinsho). When choosing a car, you often consider purchasing based on conditions such as "how much does it cost", "what kind of scene do you want to use", "how often do you use it", and "what kind of body type do you like". In the case of EVs, in addition to that, cruising range is also an important factor. Here are three points you should check when purchasing an EV.
Expensive
Looking at pure vehicle prices alone, EVs feel more expensive than gasoline vehicles. In addition, there are not so many types of cars at present, and the types of cars that can be purchased for each price range are limited. Therefore, if you are thinking about purchasing an EV from now on, the “budget” will be very important. In addition, as of 2022, the national and local governments have established subsidies and tax incentives for EV purchasers to fill the price gap with gasoline vehicles. With them it is possible to buy considerably cheaper than the usual price.
However, all subsidies will be discontinued once the budget limit is reached. It has been announced that applications for national subsidies for fiscal 2022 are expected to be completed by the end of October. For more information, including whether or not you are currently receiving subsidies, please see the article below.
preferential Measures
In addition, there are preferential measures in terms of running, such as tax exemption from the automobile weight tax that is imposed at the time of vehicle inspection under the eco-car tax reduction. What is the maximum subsidy for electric vehicles (EV)? Explanation of national and local government systems and points to no. How much is the tax on electric vehicles (EV)? Introducing specific examples of tax incentives
The next thing to check is the cruising distance. Driving range is the distance a car can travel on a single charge. The cruising range of an EV varies depending on the capacity of the battery installed, even if it is the same model, and the price of the vehicle varies accordingly.
For example, the Nissan "Leaf" has a type with a 40kWh battery and a type with a 60kWh battery, and the cruising range (WLTC mode) is 322km for the former and 450km for the latter. Longer cruising range is more convenient, but there is a price difference of about 600,000 yen between the two.
Battery
With the emergence of EVs from Chinese manufacturers equipped with inexpensive lithium iron phosphate batteries, it is expected that the prices of vehicles equipped with large-capacity batteries will also become cheaper in the future. Depending on how you use it, if you choose a car model with a battery capacity of 40 kWh or more at the moment, you can use it without worrying about "running out of charge".
However, just like gasoline vehicles, the cruising range of EVs does not match the catalog values. Electricity is also consumed for air conditioning and audio playback, so it is better to think that the actual cruising distance is about 80% of the catalog value, regardless of which model you choose.
Rare Presence
As mentioned above, there are still fewer types of EVs than gasoline vehicles, so body types are limited to some extent. For example, the two mini EVs (Sakura, eK Cross EV) released in June 2022 are tall wagons, and the EVs priced between 3 million yen and 5 million yen are hatchbacks or SUV types. However, it seems that SUV type will become mainstream even in EV in the future.
The reason why SUV-type EVs are increasing is that SUVs have a high vehicle height and ground clearance, so it is easy to install a large-capacity battery. is. SUVs are currently the most popular body type not only for EVs but also for gasoline vehicles. If you raise the purchase budget significantly, the body type options will expand, but it is better to know that the EV body type is currently limited to some extent.
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