This Japanese Startup Will Build 1,000 EV Charging In Tokyo

The RZ 450e Lexus is charging. (Doc. Lexus)

JAKARTA - As the largest automotive producing country in the world, Japan has also expressed its commitment to transition to electrification in the future. One that is being accelerated, the Japanese government is the construction of fast charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Efforts to increase the number of charging stations were carried out by a startup company from Sakura Country, Terra Motors. They plan to provide around 1,500 infrastructure for EVs in Tokyo or 50 percent more than 900 gasoline filling in the region.

"With so many charging stations, we can allay users' concerns about where to charge their vehicles," Terra Motors Founder and Chair, Toru Tokushige, said at the Nikkei Asia, Wednesday, September 27.

Reportedly, the company will provide an ultra-fast charging station of 150 kW, which will first be installed in Kojima retail stores. They also plan to expand this network to parking areas, pharmacies, and supermarkets.

Terra Motors' 150 kW charging will charge EV batteries quickly, in just 40 minutes, in contrast to other stations in Japan built by the government that require 150 minutes.

Terra Motors has invested 10 billion yen to build more than 1,000 of these charging stations. They also received financial support of 4 billion yen from companies such as Osaka Gas and Tokyo Century.

Currently, Japan has around 30,287 EV charging stations, including 9,237 ultra-fast stations. The Japanese government has ambitions to increase it to 300,000 infrastructure by 2030 as part of their commitment to electric vehicles.