On March 3, 2025, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) made strides toward advancing transportation technologies with the announcement of two key initiatives aimed at electrifying commercial vehicles and implementing automated truck driving.
The MLIT launched the pre-registration for vehicles under the "2024 Supplementary Budget Project for Promoting Electrification of Commercial Vehicles, etc." This initiative is part of Japan's overarching strategy to push the electrification of commercial vehicles such as trucks, taxis, and buses. By doing so, the government aims to not only reduce CO2 emissions but also to improve price competitiveness and encourage innovation within the industry.
According to MLIT, “Our goal is to facilitate technological innovation and reduce carbon emissions through these projects.” Registration for eligible vehicles will be managed by the Clean Energy Vehicle Promotion Center along with the Japan Automobile Transport Technology Association, ensuring compliance with the subsidy criteria established under this initiative.
Eligible vehicles encompass electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and fuel cell vehicles (FCV), as well as the necessary charging infrastructure. Companies and operators aiming to benefit from these subsidies must devise and submit introduction plans grounded on non-fossil energy conversion targets.
The initial period for vehicle registration spans from March 3 to March 7, 2025. Following this initial phase, additional guidance will be provided for registrations after March 10, 2025. This structured approach indicates the government's commitment to facilitating the adoption of greener technologies among commercial fleets.
Complementing this effort, MLIT also inaugurated the verification experiment of automated trucks at the Toyokawa Bay Service Area on the Shin-Tomei Expressway on the same day. The experiment introduces “automated driving vehicle priority lanes” on some sections of the main road, allowing for real-world testing of automated trucks.
The aim of this verification is to assess whether automated trucks can operate safely and smoothly through the use of road-vehicle cooperative systems. The initiative is framed within the larger goal of achieving early social implementation of Level 4 automated driving technology, which allows for complete automation under designated conditions.
The trial will provide insights not only on the technical capabilities of these vehicles but also on how they can positively address logistical challenges, which remain a pressing issue within Japan’s transportation sector.
Through public-private partnerships, the MLIT and participating companies hope to pioneer advancements in automated driving—a field increasingly viewed as pivotal for future transportation systems. These concerted efforts reflect Japan's ambition to lead the global charge toward innovative transport solutions and sustainability.
With the electrification of commercial vehicles and the potential of automated driving technologies, the Japanese government is laying down the foundation for significant advancements within the automotive industry, as well as toward achieving broader environmental goals.
Both initiatives represent forward-thinking strategies aimed at addressing the challenges posed by climate change, coupled with the necessity for more efficient logistics systems. More details on these programs are anticipated, as they evolve and expand to incorporate new technologies and strategies.