TOKYO — A record 88,535 electric vehicles were sold in Japan last year, accounting for 2.2% of all new passenger car sales. But the greener alternative to internal combustion engine cars continues to struggle to attract consumers in the world’s fourth-largest auto market.
In 2023, 43,991 standard-size EVs and 44,544 electric versions of Japan’s signature lightweight kei minicars cars were sold, according to data published Thursday by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association. The ratio of EVs to total car sales was 1.7% for standard-size cars and 3.3% for kei cars, up from 1.4% and 2.2%, respectively, in 2022.