Japanese automakers face California gasoline regulatory cliff in 2026

Aug 27, 2022 | News On Japan

Conventional hybrids will not qualify as zero-emission vehicles under new rules

Aug 27, 2022 (Nikkei) - Japanese automobile manufacturers face a new challenge of drastically reducing gasoline vehicles sold in California -- and have less than four years to do it.

The state's air regulators on Thursday approved new rules to phase out all gas-burning vehicles sales by 2035. The California Air Resources Board order goes into effect for the 2026 model year, when automakers are required to have 35% of new sales be of zero-emission vehicles.

Since California accounts for 12% of the U.S. auto market, car manufacturers have little choice but to comply with the mandate.

"The specifics are strict, but it's been clear for some time that they plan to eliminate gasoline vehicles by 2035," said an executive at a Japanese automaker. "We're drawing up product plans to accommodate it."

After 2026, California will require automakers to make zero-emission vehicles 68% of new sales for the 2030 model year, then 100% for 2035 models. The types of automobiles that make the grade include electric vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles and plug-in hybrids with all-electric driving ranges of 80 kilometers or more.

When it comes to green vehicles, Toyota Motor and other Japanese peers specialize in conventional hybrids that cannot be plugged to charge batteries. Because California does not recognize conventional hybrids as zero-emission vehicles, new sales of these autos will be banned in California in 2035 as well. ...continue reading

All of Ishinomaki City Ordered to Evacuate as Rain Pounds Tohoku

An evacuation order has been issued for the entire city of Ishinomaki and parts of Marumori in Miyagi Prefecture as heavy rain caused by the autumn rain front disrupts transportation across the region, with a linear rainband potentially forming along the Pacific side of Tohoku through the evening.

Rail Disruptions Continue Across Kanto

Heavy rain caused by the autumn rain front continued to disrupt rail services across the Tohoku and Kanto regions on September 7, with parts of the Shonan-Shinjuku Line and other routes remaining suspended while some major Tokyo commuter lines returned to normal operations after running reduced services earlier in the day.

Typhoon No. 24 Nears Minami-Daito Before Weakening Into Tropical Depression

Typhoon No. 24 (Krovahn) was near Minami-Daito Island, about 300 kilometers southeast of Okinawa, as of 3 a.m. on September 7, moving east-northeast at about 10 kilometers per hour and expected to weaken into a tropical depression by the afternoon, although strong winds and high waves were forecast to persist before its remnants move north and potentially intensify the autumn rain front over western and eastern Japan later in the week.

Tokyo Unveils Design for Symbol Tree at Shinjuku Station

Tokyo has unveiled the design for a major redevelopment of the plaza outside Shinjuku Station's west exit, with a landmark tree, water-play area and event space planned as part of a transformation centered on "greenery, light and people" that is scheduled for completion in 2035.

Japanese Researcher Wins Ig Nobel Prize

A late former professor at Asahikawa Medical University has won the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine for scientifically examining the proper way to blow the nose, extending Japan's streak of Ig Nobel winners to 20 consecutive years.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Jumps 1,378 Points as Chip Shares Lead Rebound

Tokyo stocks rose sharply on September 7, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 66,399, up 1,378 points, or 2.12%, as buying in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares lifted the headline index, even though more stocks fell than rose across the Prime Market.

Wealthy Chinese Find Loophole in Short-Term Rental Market

Applications for hotel business licenses are rising sharply in Osaka as property owners seek an alternative way to operate short-term rentals following the suspension of new applications under the city's special-zone minpaku program, with the approach drawing growing interest from wealthy Chinese and other overseas investors.

How Asahi Kasei Keeps Creating No. 1 Products

Asahi Kasei has grown from its roots in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, into a global conglomerate with annual sales exceeding 3 trillion yen by repeatedly developing products and technologies that dominate their markets or occupy niches with few direct rivals.

WoWGG Auction Guide: How to Read Market Trends Before You Spend Your Gold

The WoW Auction House can look chaotic when you first start using it. Hundreds of listings may appear for the same item, prices can differ dramatically, and a deal that looks excellent at first glance may not be a deal at all.

Nikkei Rebounds 806 Points as SoftBank and AI Shares Rally

Tokyo stocks rebounded on September 4, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 65,020.94, up 806.46 points, or 1.26%, as buying returned to artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares after a Wall Street rally, while investors waited for U.S. jobs data and watched the yen, oil prices and Bank of Japan rate-hike expectations.

Japan Household Spending Falls 3.6% for Eighth Straight Month

Household spending in Japan fell for an eighth consecutive month in July as consumers continued to economize on everyday purchases such as food and beverages while increasing spending on dining out, accommodation and in-game purchases.

Serious Rice Surplus as Last Year's Stock Remains

Japan's rice market is facing a growing surplus as large volumes of last year's crop remain unsold just as another strong harvest begins reaching the market, forcing retailers to slash prices below cost and leaving farmers warning that losses could make it impossible to continue farming.

Oil Distributors Admit Antimonopoly Diesel Cartel

Five oil distributors, including Higashinihon Usami and ENEOS Wing, admitted charges of violating Japan's Antimonopoly Act by forming a cartel to coordinate diesel fuel prices at their first trial at the Tokyo District Court on September 3.

< 2 3 4 5 >