Japan Finalizes Fuel Economy Goal for 2020, Sets 47.7 MPG Average for Passenger Cars

摘要

TOKYO—Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has finalized targets to increase average passenger car fuel economy to nearly 48 miles per gallon (20.3 kilometers per liter) by 2020, up 24.1 percent from 2009 levels. The 2020 goal is nearly 20 percent greater than the 17 kilometers per liter (40 mpg) average target currently set for 2015. The standard, announced Oct. 20, would apply to passenger vehicles (with fewer than 10 passengers) or those weighing less than 3.5 metric tons, and powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, or liquid propane gas. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles would be counted only partially when computing the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE). Companies that fail to achieve the target would be subject to a fine of up to 1 million yen ($13,300), public disclosure of the manufacturers and dealers, and government orders to achieve the targets, the ministry said. The Big Three U.S. automotive companies—General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler—would not be subject to the requirement because they do not have type certification, which allows manufacturers to ship vehicles without obtaining ministry certification for each car.