Japan pushes to remove target for zero-emission vehicles

Japan has proposed removing a reference to a “collective goal of at least 50% zero-emission vehicles by 2030”, according to a draft of the communique reviewed by Reuters.In its place it has proposed a less concrete target of “significantly increasing the sale, share and uptake of zero-emission light duty vehicles recognising the range of pathways that members are adopting to approach these goals”, according to the draft.(File pic shows Japanese cars ready for export)

TOKYO: Japan is pushing to remove a target for zero-emission vehicles from a Group of Seven (G7) communique expected this week, according to a proposed draft seen by Reuters, a move that would water down language on climate change from the ongoing leaders’ summit in Germany.

The pressure from Tokyo, an influential member of the G7 rich nations, comes as the Japanese auto industry has faced scrutiny from green investors who say it has been slow to embrace zero-emission vehicles and lobbied against regulations that would encourage quicker transition to the technology.