Cabinet decision on the revised Energy Conservation Act― Expand scope of the Top Runner System
On 21st January, the cabinet approved a enforcement order to partially amend the Energy Conservation Act. In order to promote energy conservation in the transportation sector, the commercial and household sectors, the scope of the Top Runner Program, which enhance energy efficiency performance, has been expanded. It will be enforced on 1st April.
Currently, the top-runner system regulates gasoline, light oil, and LP gas as fuel for passenger vehicles, and electric vehicles (EV) are to be newly added. It also states that the regulatory scope of insulation material will be expanded.
The council on fuel regulations established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI) published a report last June. New fuel efficiency standards based on the Energy Conservation Act were compiled. Specifically, adding the EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), new reference values are set with FY2030 as the target year. In response to this, both ministries were proceeding with the revision of the enforcement order to review the Top Runner Program.