Japan weighs revamping auto tax as luxury EV offerings expand

Pricier models face lower rates under system designed for conventional cars

20250428N Rolls Royce Spectre

The Rolls-Royce Spectre starts at 48 million yen and qualifies for the lowest automobile tax, considering the flat rate applied to EVs. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)

TAIZO WADA

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is starting to explore revisions to the automobile tax, aiming to make it more fair as luxury electric vehicles proliferate and bear little of the burden.

Forty-four of the EV models sold in fiscal 2024 were priced at 10 million yen (about $70,000) or higher before taxes, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications explained at an expert panel meeting this past Wednesday. The tally was up nearly 80% from fiscal 2022.

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