Japan could ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by the mid-2030s, following in the footsteps of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway
The Japan Times speculates the government there is close to a decision, the likely ban following prime minister Yoshihide Suga’s October pledge Japan will slash its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
It will accelerate decarbonisation in the automotive industry, the government intending to work harder to promote EVs and hybrids.
Nearly 30% of Japan’s new vehicle market comprises EVs and hybrids, with Reuters reporting many automotive manufacturers there such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan are well placed to take advantage of a move to ban new internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
New Zealand’s climate change minister James Shaw reckons a similar ban should be introduced in New Zealand around the time the UK aims to introduce its ICE ban in 2030, in part to stop the likely dumping of secondhand ICE vehicles.
Calls have come for Australia to take a stand too.
Both Japan and New Zealand have recently declared climate emergencies which include moves to decarbonise.
