The amendments of the Japanese government and ruling party to the automobile-related tax system surfaced on December 16. According to the “Asahi Shimbun” report on the 16th, the Japanese government has decided to add an additional “EV weight tax” from 2028. At that time, electric vehicle owners will be required to pay corresponding taxes based on the weight of the vehicle. Currently, the specific tax amount of the “EV weight tax” has not been determined, and related discussions will begin after 2026. According to the Asahi Shimbun, there are opinions that compared to gasoline vehicles that are required to pay fuel taxes, etc., electric vehicles using the same road do not have a “corresponding usage burden,” which is unfair. Electric cars tend to be heavier than gasoline cars and are more likely to damage roads. The Japanese government and ruling party believe that in order to maintain and improve infrastructure, it is necessary to increase tax revenue. Also, according to the “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” report on the 16th, the weight tax levied on electric vehicles will use a mechanism where the vehicle is heavier and the tax amount is higher. The amount of tax will refer to the average amount of fuel tax borne by gasoline vehicle owners, etc. The new tax plan was included in Japan's recently finalized 2026 tax reform outline. In addition to electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids are also subject to taxation.

The amendments of the Japanese government and ruling party to the automobile-related tax system surfaced on December 16. According to the “Asahi Shimbun” report on the 16th, the Japanese government has decided to add an additional “EV weight tax” from 2028. At that time, electric vehicle owners will be required to pay corresponding taxes based on the weight of the vehicle. Currently, the specific tax amount of the “EV weight tax” has not been determined, and related discussions will begin after 2026. According to the Asahi Shimbun, there are opinions that compared to gasoline vehicles that are required to pay fuel taxes, etc., electric vehicles using the same road do not have a “corresponding usage burden,” which is unfair. Electric cars tend to be heavier than gasoline cars and are more likely to damage roads. The Japanese government and ruling party believe that in order to maintain and improve infrastructure, it is necessary to increase tax revenue. Also, according to the “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” report on the 16th, the weight tax levied on electric vehicles will use a mechanism where the vehicle is heavier and the tax amount is higher. The amount of tax will refer to the average amount of fuel tax borne by gasoline vehicle owners, etc. The new tax plan was included in Japan's recently finalized 2026 tax reform outline. In addition to electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids are also subject to taxation.