Japan petrol-car ban decision soon

The Japanese government is closer to a decision to ban sales of new petrol-only cars in its domestic market during the mid-2030s as part of efforts to reduce climate change-causing emissions.

The goal, which would promote a shift to all-electric, fuel cell and petrol-electric, and plug-in hybrids, comes as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pushes forward with his campaign to make Japan carbon-emissions neutral by 2050. 

A panel of experts at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is set to include the target in its report to be compiled by the end of 2020. 

Domestic sales of lower or zero-emission cars, including hybrids, made up just under 40 per cent of all new passenger vehicles sold there in 2019. 

Japan’s initiative comes amid the global trend to reduce sales of petrol-powered cars, notably in China and Europe. 

China is set to phase out sales of conventional petrol cars by 2035. The UK last month moved up its target to ban sales of new diesel and petrol cars by five years to 2030, while France aims to achieve this by 2040. 

In the US, the state of California is set to phase out sales of new petrol cars by 2035.