Japan EV sales plummet 33% in 2024, first decline in four years

Nissan retained top spot while China's BYD saw growth in second year in market

BYD lifted its sales in the Japanese market by introducing a new model. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)

SHOYA OKINAGA and SOTA TANAKA, Nikkei staff writers

January 9, 2025 21:47 JST

TOKYO -- Sales of electric vehicles in Japan fell 33% year-on-year to 59,736 cars in 2024, the first decline in four years, according to data from car dealers and importers compiled by Nikkei on Thursday.

EVs' share of all vehicle sales fell below 2% in Japan, the lowest among major advanced economies. While global EV sales are still growing, albeit more slowly, Japan's reluctance to adopt EVs is becoming increasingly apparent.