Japan wants 50% of new cars green by 2020

Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry (METI) has announced a strategy that calls for boosting eco-friendly vehicles’ share of domestic new car sales to as high as 50% by 2020, from the current 9%. Under the strategy, the ministry said prices of lithium ion batteries used in next-generation vehicles should be reduced to one-seventh of 2006 prices by 2015, and to one-fortieth by 2030. It also referred to a need to secure rare metals used for batteries and to develop infrastructure, including recharging stations. The government is expected to incorporate this next-generation car strategy into its economic growth plan, which will be unveiled in June. (April 14, 2010)