Japan gasoline use to plunge

[mooncliff]

I mentioned in another thread that the US government estimates that Japan's oil use will decrease by 20% over the next decade.


Eco-cars go by, gas stations go under

The spread of eco-friendly vehicles could spell doom for two-thirds of the nation's 40,000 gas stations in the next decade...

More than 2,000 gas stations have closed annually in recent years, but this figure looks set to jump as more drivers opt for cars that run on less fuel--or none at all.
The Federation of Petroleum Product Dealers Associations (Zensekiren) estimates that if eco-friendly vehicles account for half of new car purchases and 20 percent of all vehicles in fiscal 2020, annual demand for gasoline will plunge to 40.88 million kiloliters, down 29 percent from fiscal 2008, while demand for light fuel oil will fall 15 percent to 28.66 million kiloliters.

"In the worst-case, only 12,500 of the nation's gas stations, less than one-third of the current figure, would still be operating in 2020," ...

[And, I might add, new car sales in Japan are way down. Young people don't seem to care much for cars and motorcycles these days; they are obsessed over electronics. I hardly hear motorcycle gangs riding around anymore.]

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100314002632.htm

[mooncliff]

Japan auto giants join largest power company to set electric car charging standard

Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and Fuji Heavy Industries have joined Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to set a Japan standard for recharging electric cars, with the aim of creating a global standard.

http://www.physorg.com/news187855428.html

[GRG55]

Re: Japan auto giants join largest power company to set electric car charging standard

Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and Fuji Heavy Industries have joined Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to set a Japan standard for recharging electric cars, with the aim of creating a global standard.

http://www.physorg.com/news187855428.html

Well it's good to hear they are all cooperating to develop a standard. The last thing we need is a re-run of the Sony Betamax/JVC VHS soap opera...;)

[mooncliff]

Re: Japan gasoline price

There is sometimes confusion because of liter conversion to/from US gallons and UK gallons.

Gasoline in Japan is about US$5.40 per gallon now (about JPY130, US$1.40, GBP0.95 per liter; 3.8 liters make one US gallon), substantially higher in dollars than a couple of years ago primarily due to appreciation of the yen against the dollar, I think.
http://imarketnews.com/node/8840

A couple of years ago, the UK pound was 220 yen to the pound, but recently dropped to about 135 yen to the pound.

[c1ue]

Re: Japan gasoline use to plunge

There is sometimes confusion because of liter conversion to/from US gallons and UK gallons.

Gasoline in Japan is about US$5.40 per gallon now (about JPY130, US$1.40, GBP0.95 per liter; 3.8 liters make one US gallon), substantially higher in dollars than a couple of years ago primarily due to appreciation of the yen against the dollar, I think.
http://imarketnews.com/node/8840

A couple of years ago, the UK pound was 220 yen to the pound, but recently dropped to about 135 yen to the pound.

Despite the 30% increase in the yen's strength vs. the dollar, the 100% increase in oil prices still means more expensive gasoline in Japan.

2 or 3 years ago, the digits on the gas stations were still only 2: 95,93, etc.

As for Japan's electric conversion - this means either more nuclear power plants or more coal generatiing plants. As either involve imports of raw materials - it is an interesting question how much this really helps.

And of course Japan's reduction in gasoline use may well be at least partly due to its economic travails.

The US has seen a significant drop in gasoline use this past year due to its economic problems.

[GRG55]

Re: Japan gasoline use to plunge

...And of course Japan's reduction in gasoline use may well be at least partly due to its economic travails.

The US has seen a significant drop in gasoline use this past year due to its economic problems.

I wouldn't underestimate the demographic effects of an aging population [Boomer cohort in the case of the USA]. I think there is a case to be made that the severe recession has simply exacerbated and more clearly revealed an already underlying established trend in Japan, the USA, western Europe...it just accelerated enough with the onset of recession to gain attention...