Japan to eliminate gas-powered cars as part of ‘green growth plan’

Japan aims to eliminate gasoline-powered vehicles in about 15 years, the government said Friday in a plan to achieve Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s ambitious pledge to go carbon-free by 2050 and generate nearly $2 trillion growth in green business and investment.

The “green growth strategy” urges utilities to bolster renewables and hydrogen while calling for auto industries to go carbon-free by the mid-2030s.

A United Nations study released earlier this month determined that wealthy nations’ climate pledges were falling far short of what is needed to stave off an ecological crisis, and that the world’s richest 1% needed to cut their emissions by 97% in order to stave off the worst effects of climate change. New research also suggests that sea levels are likely to rise higher and faster than has been previously predicted. Japan, a nation that is a series of islands, is particularly vulnerable to the challenges that sea-level rise would bring.

Suga, in a policy speech in October, pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions in 30 years. As the world faces an environmental challenge, green investment is an opportunity for growth, not a burden, he said.

The strategy, which provides a roadmap to achieving the goals in different sectors, projected 30-50% increase in electricity demand and called for a push to triple renewables in the country’s energy mix to about 50-60% from their current level, while also maximizing use of nuclear power as a stable, clean source of energy.

But it was unclear if Suga has the political heft to overcome vested interests in weaning resource-poor Japan from its reliance on imported oil and gas.

The strategy identified 14 industries, such as offshore wind, hydrogen and fuel ammonia as well as autos and rechargeable batteries and roadmap for each sector. The strategy shows an installation target for offshore wind power of up to 45 gigawatts by 2040.

Under the strategy, the government is also to provide tax incentives and other support to encourage investment into green technology. Suga projected an annual growth of 90 trillion yen ($870 billion) by 2030 and 190 trillion yen ($1.8 trillion) by 2050 under the plan.

The government will offer tax incentives and other financial support to companies, such as a 2 trillion yen ($19 billion) green fund.