Japan takes a different road to a cleaner car industry

(Kaoru Natsuda – East Asia Forum) Japan’s vehicle decarbonisation strategy has diverged from the European Union’s battery electric vehicle-centred approach, favouring a technology-neutral model based on lifecycle emissions across the automotive value chain. This reflects structural constraints in Japan’s energy mix and industrial system. For other Asian car-producing economies, Japan’s approach raises questions about whether multi-pathway strategies can deliver practical emissions reductions while accounting for energy security and consumer needs. – Japan takes a different road to a cleaner car industry | East Asia Forum