Japan’s Idemitsu to foray into micro-electric vehicle industry as he prepares for energy transition

JV will market micro electric vehicles at 6,400 service stations in Idemitsu

Idemitsu sees future role of EV and hydrogen filling stations more important

Japan aims to reach 100% electric passenger cars in new car sales

Tokyo –
Japan’s second-largest refiner, Idemitsu Kosan, said on February 16 that it would officially make a foray into the micro-electric vehicle business in April, when it starts a joint venture with Tajima Motor to introduce the micro EV in 2022, targeting the million potential units / year market.

The move comes as Idemitsu Kosan chief executive officer Shunichi Kito and Tajima Motor chief executive officer Nobuhiro Tajima said the companies are accelerating their efforts to achieve Japan’s targeted carbon neutrality by 2050.

As part of the JV, Idemitsu Tajima EV, the companies will manufacture the micro EV according to a new specification introduced in September 2020 by the Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and start selling it in 2022 at some 6,400 stations. -Idemitsu brand service across Japan. .

Energetic transition

Amid the changing energy dynamics and accelerating movements towards energy transition in Japan, Idemitsu said he sees a change in the role of his gas stations in the future.

“We believe that gas stations will play a more important role as a regional energy supply base to supply not only petroleum products, but also next-generation fuels, recharge EVs or fill with hydrogen,” said Kito said at an online press conference.

“We see the potential demand of around 1 million units per year,” Kito said of the country’s estimated demand for sales of new micro EV units.

Idemitsu Tajima EV plans to introduce the four-seat micro EV, which can be charged in eight hours with 100v for a distance of about 120 km at less than 1.5 million yen ($ 14,252) per unit, said Tajima at an online press conference. It has a maximum power of 15 kW for a top speed not exceeding 60 km / h.

2035 goal

Japan formulated the green growth strategy for 2050 carbon neutral at the end of December with action plans including on automobiles, following the carbon neutral target announced by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in October.

As part of this strategy, Japan is targeting electrically powered passenger vehicles to account for 100% of new car sales by mid-2030 at the latest.

Asked whether Idemitsu’s decision on the micro EV follows the government’s decision for electric vehicles, Kito said, “Of course, such a major trend was among the factors.

“I think it is unrealistic to see gasoline cars completely disappear in the mid-2030s,” Kito added.

Idemitsu currently has a combined refining capacity of 945,000 bpd in Japan.