日本拟2028年对EV按重量加税

Core Viewpoint - Japan plans to impose a new tax on private electric vehicles (EVs) starting from May 2028, based on vehicle weight, with heavier vehicles facing higher tax burdens [2][4]. Group 1: Tax Implementation - The new tax will be applied during vehicle inspections, starting from May 1, 2028, and will also include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) [4]. - The tax amount will be determined based on the average gasoline tax burden of gasoline vehicle owners [4][5]. - PHVs will be taxed at half the rate of EVs, as they have already contributed to gasoline taxes to some extent [4]. Group 2: Rationale for Tax - The primary reason for increasing the tax burden on EVs is to ensure funding for road maintenance, as EVs do not contribute to fuel taxes like gasoline vehicles do [5]. - The heavier weight of EVs compared to gasoline vehicles leads to greater road wear, justifying the need for a tax [5]. Group 3: Market Impact - Heavier EV models, particularly imported ones, dominate the domestic market, suggesting that higher-end vehicles will incur larger tax amounts [5]. - The Japanese government plans to suspend local taxes related to environmental performance ratios for two years (2026-2027) to support the automotive industry affected by U.S. tariffs [5].