Japan embraces BYO powerplants

Infrastructure is the global stumbling block when it comes to getting more EVs on the road.

But Japan actually has more charging stations than petrol stations – and it’s got 34,000 of those.

Pricing of electric vehicles in most parts of the world generally sees a massive gap to their fossil-fueled stablemates – but in Japan you can pick up a brand-spanking Mitsubishi i-MiEV for $32,000.

Until the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf arrive in New Zealand, you can’t even buy a new full-electric car. The Nissan Leaf is no longer officially sold here.

There are public CHAdeMO DC quick chargers all over Japan – more than 2800. Now, consider there’s only about 850 in the US.

But many of the Japanese charging stations are actually privately owned, living in people’s garages. With 150-300km range out of many EVs now available, Japan’s relatively short daily commutes are easily covered.

In total, there are over 40,000 charging stations across Japan – including pubic and private ones – according to Nissan.