METI Announces 'EV & PHV Towns' Best Practice Handbook

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released in its best practice findings on August 4, 2010; a full scale unfurling of its electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) plans, as enacted in its exemplar regions "EV & PHV Towns", aiming to concentrate its attention on supporting the spread of this cutting-edge initiative.

In the first phase of the "EV & PHV Towns" best practice handbook, the ministry published eight characteristic initiatives including the introduction of EV taxis in Kanagawa and Niigata prefectures, EV and PHV initiatives in the tourism industry in the municipality of Kyoto and Aomori and Nagasaki prefectures as well as the awarding of Eco Points (a Japanese government green benefits scheme) to EV users in Aomori and Niigata prefectures.

One such initiative is EV tourism in the municipality of Kyoto. Under the scheme, tourists use EV and PHV taxis and rental vehicles when visiting 27 temples and shrines mainly in the Kyoto City area. These tourists are then offered souvenir gifts and preferential treatment at the participating temples and shrines while taxi and rental car companies donate a portion of their profits towards capital funds for preserving important cultural properties in the municipality of Kyoto.

Other initiatives included a world-first trial in Niigata prefecture; an initiative for the development of an "EV helper" which an EV for rescuing other EVs which have empty batteries. The car has a fast-charging battery charger built-in to the back seat.

METI Selects Eight 'EV & pHV Towns' for Promotion (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029388.html
METI Releases Collection of Best Practices for Eco-Businesses in Japan (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/ja/pages/028937.html

Posted: 2011/01/07 06:00:15