Japan Warns: Our EVs Would Lose In Europe If New Regulations Are Passed

Japan plans to urge the European Union to revise its proposed policy favouring electric vehicles produced within the bloc.

Tokyo is expected to raise the issue next month at a high-level economic dialogue between Japan and the EU in Brussels and request “fair treatment for vehicles produced outside the Union”, Anadolu writes.

Under the proposal, for a vehicle to qualify for subsidies, at least 70 percent of its components, excluding batteries, would have to be produced in the European Union. The bloc also plans measures to reduce purchase and maintenance costs for domestically produced vehicles.

The proposal still needs to be approved by the EU member states and the European Parliament, so it is subject to change. Japan hopes that after the ministerial talks in May, this issue will be discussed at the regular bilateral summit, which could be held in June.

“If our cars are exempted from the support measures, our sales will be at a disadvantage,” a source at a Japanese automaker said.

• Read More: The Return Of The Nissan GT-R Was Announced By The Japanese