Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi have agreed on the details of specific financial assistance they will provide to installers of charging stations for electric vehicles (PHVs, PHEVs, and EVs).
This announcement follows the agreement the four companies announced on July 29, 2013 to jointly promote the construction of a user-friendly network of charging infrastructures. Applications from installers for financial assistance will be accepted starting today.
Electric vehicles are expected to play a major role in driving the energy policy for the next generation. In order for them to become widely adopted, however, it is imperative that charging infrastructure be made widely available as quickly as possible.
By assisting installers with the part of their costs not covered by government subsidies, the four companies are aiming to promote wider availability of chargers to make electric vehicle use more convenient. The program announced today targets charging facilities recognized to have high public value under the subsidy utilization plans drawn up by local governments.
Financial assistance will be made available to those businesses and operations that satisfy certain conditions, such as destination charging spots at commercial facilities and lodging facilities, as well as en-route charging spots at service areas and toll-road parking areas, convenience stores on regular roads, and service stations.
By the spring of 2014 the four companies also plan to establish a management organization that will set up and manage a membership-based charging service. The management organization will collect membership fees and usage charges from electric vehicle users. This independent scheme is intended to assist electric vehicle users and support the charging infrastructure to further develop and expand it in Japan.
In the current favorable environment of government subsidies for charger installation, the four automakers will actively encourage installation of both standard chargers and quick chargers. The companies hope to promote broader adoption of electric vehicles by building a user-friendly infrastructure and creating a society that can take full advantage of the functions of electric vehicles.
Overview of Financial Assistance Program for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
| Assistance details | Standard chargers | Quick chargers | |
| Installation costs | The balance of the cost of purchasing and installing chargers after the NEV Subsidy1 and local government subsidies provided to primary business entities2 are subtracted. Assistance is capped at 400,000 yen/charger. | The balance of the cost of purchasing and installing chargers, after the NEV Subsidy and local government subsidies provided to primary business entities are subtracted. Assistance is capped at 1,700,000 yen/charger. Startup inspection expense. Assistance is capped at 200,000 yen/charger | |
| Maintenance costs | All expenses, including the communication fees for chargers, maintenance contract, and insurance. The assistance duration will be 8 years following the completion of charger installation (ownership requirements as stipulated in the NEV Subsidy System). Assistance is capped at 85,000 yen/charger per year. | All expenses, including the communication fees for chargers, maintenance contract, and insurance. The assistance duration will be 8 years following the completion of charger installation (ownership requirements as stipulated by the NEV Subsidy). Assistance is capped at 405,000 yen/charger per year.The basic electricity service charge associated with the installation of low-voltage power-receiving equipment. Assistance duration will be 8 years following the completion of charger installation. | |
| Electricity costs | The amount equivalent to the electricity charge associated with the use of chargers. Limited to the required ownership duration stipulated in the NEV Subsidy System following the start of the membership-based charging service. | The amount equivalent to the electricity charge associated with the use of chargers. Limited to the required ownership duration stipulated in the NEV Subsidy System following the start of the membership-based charging service. | |
| Application period and contact information | November 12, 2013 through February 28, 2014 Submit applications to the PHV, PHEV, and EV Charging Infrastructure Assistance Project Management Office. (Application period may be closed ahead of deadline depending on the number of applications received.) | ||
| Special notes | Only specified high-functionality chargers equipped with authentication and billing functions are eligible.Payment of assistance will be made through the Membership-Based Charging Service Management Organization to be set up separately.A government subsidy application must have been submitted for the charger on or after July 29, 2013 to be eligible. Assistance for chargers that were installed before this date and membership-based charging services using these chargers will be considered in the future, along with the establishment of the Membership-Based Charging Service Management Organization. | ||
