Is Japan a strict country for long-term car drivers Is it eco-friendly to switch to electric vehicles? The questioning post is a hot topic
“Why is it that Japan wants to eco-friendly only the replacement of electric vehicles while driving a car for a long time is not eco-friendly?” Kazufusa (@orz68483437) from Aichi Prefecture received 25,000 likes when she tweeted her frank question. His favorite car is a 1994 Mazda Eunos Roadster. He asked the owner, who continues to drive famous Japanese cars, about the intentions of his post.
Kazufusa's favorite car is a 1994 Mazda Eunos Roadster [Photo: Provided by himself]
One after another, lamenting voices, "My car will raise the automobile tax next year, but I'm driving it carefully."
“Why is it that Japan wants to eco-friendly only the replacement of electric vehicles while driving a car for a long time is not eco-friendly?” Kazufusa (@orz68483437) from Aichi Prefecture received 25,000 likes when she tweeted her frank question. His favorite car is a 1994 Mazda Eunos Roadster. We asked the owner who continues to drive a famous Japanese car about the intention of the post.
Kazufusa's casual tweet suddenly went viral and became a "popular person". The post received a series of comments that agreed with the content.
Drivers who have been driving gasoline cars for a long time expressed sympathy and lament.
"If you drive an old car for a long time, the tax will be heavy, and the tax will be reduced for a new car." No." "I hear that old cars are tax-free in the UK."
On the other hand, while acknowledging the merits of electric vehicles (EVs), there are also those who question the trend that everything is eco-friendly.
"Even though electric vehicles are emitting carbon dioxide..." "As long as the power generation problem is not solved, electric vehicles cannot be called eco-friendly." "I think Prius is more eco-friendly than EV." recommends the EV policy because it cannot beat Toyota."
Even if you take good care of an old car, it is not as good as an EV in terms of fuel efficiency and exhaust gas. But staying in one car for a long time is also eco-friendly. Japan also has an energy problem when it comes to supplying electricity. Somewhat vague opinions account for the majority, and have caused a great deal of controversy.
Kazufusa says that he did not have any deep intentions about the reason for posting.
"I myself have been driving an old car for a long time, and I've been doing it with one car for nearly 20 years, but it's not being treated as eco-friendly. No, I think it's an excellent industrial product."
I bought my beloved Roadster about 18 years ago and have been driving it ever since. “I have a lot of memories, but the fact that I was able to meet so many people through this car left a lasting impression on me,” he says.
Disadvantages of owning a car for a long time: "It certainly costs money"
In the future, the automobile industry will enter an era of full-scale EVs. Los Angeles will ban the sale of gasoline vehicles, including hybrid vehicles (HV), by 2035. Japan is also pushing ahead with the popularization of eco-cars, such as announcing a policy to convert all new cars sold domestically to EVs by 2035. Although the development of infrastructure, which is an issue, is not sufficient, the number of charging places is gradually increasing.
Gasoline vehicles are facing a headwind as a result. In contrast to EVs, which are subject to subsidies at the time of purchase and high tax incentives, gasoline vehicles are taxed more heavily after 13 years. As a result, maintenance becomes difficult, and some owners give up their beloved cars.
Mr. Kazufusa also said, "There is a big disadvantage in terms of the tax system. Repair costs are high, maintenance costs are higher than ordinary cars, but taxes are also higher, so it's certainly expensive." And I realize the difficulty of maintenance.
"Isn't it more about promoting replacement purchases than being eco-friendly?" If so, is it really eco-friendly? That is to say, he asked a frank question.
Mr. Kazufusa said, "I was honestly surprised by the many responses. I thought there would be more antipathy messages because the information on the Internet was like 'Eco is great and electric cars are the future of vehicles.'" I took it as an unexpected reaction that there are many drivers who have the same thoughts.
Even with the wave of EVs, he still has no intention of letting go of his beloved car.
"I've been with my car for a long time, and I'm so attached to it that I can't bring myself to replace it," said Kazufusa.
