For high traffic areas and other locations with heavy demand, the average power of fast-chargers will be further increased to around 150 kW. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is finalizing guidelines that will require charge point operators to upgrade their charging power, and to encourage this transition, the government will provide subsidies.
It's worth noting that the origin of the current 40 kW average specification is attributed to the ministry, but no specific details were mentioned regarding how this figure was determined. While achieving an average charging capacity of 90 kW by 2030 might seem relatively conservative, it will necessitate the deployment of a substantial number of DC chargers with power ratings significantly above 100 kW, unless slower charging stations are phased out by 2030.
The guidelines will also mandate the installation of charging stations every 70 kilometers along motorways and will introduce kWh-based tariffs instead of time-based billing. Additionally, in an effort to reduce installation costs, the government intends to relax safety regulations for fast-charging stations with power capacities exceeding 200 kW.
Overall, these new standards are expected to bolster Japan's electric vehicle infrastructure, making it more convenient and accessible for EV users, while also supporting the country's efforts to promote sustainable transportation.
Source: Nikkei