What Are New Energy Vehicles Called in Japan?
2 Answers
New energy vehicles are commonly referred to as "low-emission vehicles" in Japan. Advantages of new energy vehicles: 1. They are more environmentally friendly; 2. They are more cost-effective with lower maintenance costs in the long run; 3. They produce less noise, offering better comfort; 4. They provide stronger and quicker acceleration compared to traditional vehicles, delivering a powerful sense of push-back. Disadvantages of new energy vehicles: 1. Relatively slow charging; 2. Limited vehicle ownership makes charging, refueling, and repairs less convenient; 3. Short driving range and insufficient power make them unsuitable for long-distance travel. Types of new energy vehicles include: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Range-Extended Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), and Hydrogen Engine Vehicles.
I live in the suburbs of Yokohama and commute daily in a new energy vehicle. Here in Japan, such vehicles are collectively referred to as "jidai jidōsha" (次世代自動車), meaning next-generation cars. In daily conversations, people often use English abbreviations, like calling pure electric vehicles EV (電気自動車), plug-in hybrids PHEV (プラグインハイブリッド), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles FCV (燃料電池車). Last time, my neighbor mentioned that his Nissan Ariya EV costs half as much to charge as it does to refuel, and he can enjoy a bowl of ramen at a convenience store while charging on weekends. However, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are relatively rare in Tokyo, with only about a hundred hydrogen stations available. By the way, hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius aren’t technically classified as new energy vehicles, but Japanese people still consider them part of the eco-friendly car category.
