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Series hybrid (not pluggable) is now become popular here in Japan, like Nissan Note, Honda Fit, Daihatsu Rocky, and even minivans. Pros is that the mechanism is

Series hybrid (not pluggable) is now become popular here in Japan, like Nissan Note, Honda Fit, Daihatsu Rocky, and even minivans. Pros is that the mechanism is similar to BEV so not much R&D cost, and efficiency in city use. Cons is highway fuel efficiency (and lower power than pure ICE) but people not tend to drive highway frequently like US. BEVs are still far from affordable for average Japanese income for now, and plenty of people can't have outlet for rented parking.

KennyBlanken 4y ago
It's worth noting that the reason hybrids are popular in Japan is due to Toyota pushing them, very heavily, due to their substantial failure to keep up innovation-wise and not invest in EV drivetrains and platforms. Toyota has gone so far as to print what amounts to propaganda for grade school children to brainwash them into the evils of BEVs. There is no reason BEVs wouldn't work in Japan. Extensive, highly reliable, fast public transit means range is irrelevant and vehicles can be small, light, with small batteries and small motors. High voltage means a normal wall socket and most circuits provide plenty of power for charging, no need for special circuit installs. BEVs are easier to produce, are a fraction as complicated, and have very little maintenance and long lifespan. That's another reason Japan doesn't have any interest in them; a massive part of Japan's economic engine is their regulating cars off the road after a shockingly short period of time to export them off to Rest of World (and the resulting parts sales...)
- fomine3 4y ago
  Agree that BEV works in Japan and Japanese motor company (good at making ICE) have incentive to delay transition for BEV. Still, there are blockers to have EV in Japan. Having normal charging outlet on mechanical parking in Tokyo is difficult. Govt subsidy is now getting available but replacing entire mechanical parking system would be very costly. Non-pluggable hybrid is practical for them. Anyway they tend to not use cars for commute everyday, so they aren't best customer for BEV. BEV on local cities/rural areas (where most people use car for commute) is very practical especially they have a house, but they tend to not earn much so most BEVs are not affordable for now. They also love minivans that should be extremely optimized for inner space. Nissan Sakura is great for them as a second K-car on family. I wish Japanese manufacturers release more affordable models. Anyway (cheap and reliable) massive battery supply is the blocker for EV transition that should be solved by automotive company. Toyota can make 40x Prius for one bz4X battery capacity. > Extensive, highly reliable, fast public transit means range is irrelevant. You mean BEV for rental car fleet? It's different story. They care vehicle cost very much, but fuel price is paid by customer.
  - theshrike79 4y ago
    Isn't one of the major inhibitors for BEV adoption in Japan the fact that the power grid is 110 volts and people don't really have three-phase electricity in their homes. Charging from a 110V outlet is an exercise in frustration unless you pull completely bonkers amount of amps. On a 230V system you need around 10A for a practical in-home charger, that way you get around 100km of range over night.
    - fomine3 4y ago
      No, I don't say power grid is a problem. Car buyer without their own house tend to not own parking place but rent (Here, on street parking is never allowed), so even installing 100V outlet requires negotiation that is difficult. Govt should do the job. Installing outlet for existing mechanical parking on apartment is more difficult. https://living.rise-corp.tokyo/parking-in-japan/ https://living.rise-corp.tokyo/parking-in-japan/ If car buyer has a house, they can easily install 200V single phase outlet unless the house is very old. I'm in this case so I'd like to buy BEV for my next car.

KennyBlanken 4y ago

It's worth noting that the reason hybrids are popular in Japan is due to Toyota pushing them, very heavily, due to their substantial failure to keep up innovation-wise and not invest in EV drivetrains and platforms. Toyota has gone so far as to print what amounts to propaganda for grade school children to brainwash them into the evils of BEVs. There is no reason BEVs wouldn't work in Japan. Extensive, highly reliable, fast public transit means range is irrelevant and vehicles can be small, light, with small batteries and small motors. High voltage means a normal wall socket and most circuits provide plenty of power for charging, no need for special circuit installs. BEVs are easier to produce, are a fraction as complicated, and have very little maintenance and long lifespan. That's another reason Japan doesn't have any interest in them; a massive part of Japan's economic engine is their regulating cars off the road after a shockingly short period of time to export them off to Rest of World (and the resulting parts sales...)

fomine3 4y ago
Agree that BEV works in Japan and Japanese motor company (good at making ICE) have incentive to delay transition for BEV. Still, there are blockers to have EV in Japan. Having normal charging outlet on mechanical parking in Tokyo is difficult. Govt subsidy is now getting available but replacing entire mechanical parking system would be very costly. Non-pluggable hybrid is practical for them. Anyway they tend to not use cars for commute everyday, so they aren't best customer for BEV. BEV on local cities/rural areas (where most people use car for commute) is very practical especially they have a house, but they tend to not earn much so most BEVs are not affordable for now. They also love minivans that should be extremely optimized for inner space. Nissan Sakura is great for them as a second K-car on family. I wish Japanese manufacturers release more affordable models. Anyway (cheap and reliable) massive battery supply is the blocker for EV transition that should be solved by automotive company. Toyota can make 40x Prius for one bz4X battery capacity. > Extensive, highly reliable, fast public transit means range is irrelevant. You mean BEV for rental car fleet? It's different story. They care vehicle cost very much, but fuel price is paid by customer.
- theshrike79 4y ago
  Isn't one of the major inhibitors for BEV adoption in Japan the fact that the power grid is 110 volts and people don't really have three-phase electricity in their homes. Charging from a 110V outlet is an exercise in frustration unless you pull completely bonkers amount of amps. On a 230V system you need around 10A for a practical in-home charger, that way you get around 100km of range over night.
  - fomine3 4y ago
    No, I don't say power grid is a problem. Car buyer without their own house tend to not own parking place but rent (Here, on street parking is never allowed), so even installing 100V outlet requires negotiation that is difficult. Govt should do the job. Installing outlet for existing mechanical parking on apartment is more difficult. https://living.rise-corp.tokyo/parking-in-japan/ https://living.rise-corp.tokyo/parking-in-japan/ If car buyer has a house, they can easily install 200V single phase outlet unless the house is very old. I'm in this case so I'd like to buy BEV for my next car.