If you’re a Tokyo resident thinking about buying a car, the timing may work in your favor: the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is currently offering some of the largest EV and hybrid purchase subsidies it has ever run, and they stack on top of separate national government subsidies. Eligibility is based on where you register the vehicle, not your nationality — so foreign residents registering a car in Tokyo qualify on the same terms as anyone else.
📋 Quick Navigation: How much you can get · A real example: Toyota bZ4X · Who qualifies · How to apply · FAQ
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How much you can actually get back
Tokyo’s subsidy is structured in layers, and they’re designed to be combined — the base vehicle subsidy plus several optional add-ons for extra equipment or renewable energy commitments.
| Subsidy component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tokyo base EV subsidy | ¥1,300,000 |
| Tokyo base plug-in hybrid subsidy | ¥1,150,000 |
| Vehicle-to-load capability add-on | ¥100,000 |
| Home charging equipment add-on | ¥100,000 |
| Renewable energy plan enrollment add-on | ¥150,000 |
| Solar power usage add-on | ¥300,000 |
| Manufacturer-specific top-up (Toyota/Nissan/Honda) | ¥400,000 |
| National government EV subsidy (separate, stacks with Tokyo’s) | up to ¥1,300,000 |
Not every add-on applies to every buyer — the vehicle-to-load, charging, solar, and renewable-energy bonuses depend on your specific setup — but the base subsidy plus the manufacturer top-up alone is a substantial discount before you even touch the national-level subsidy.
A real example: Toyota bZ4X
To make this concrete: a Toyota bZ4X listed at roughly ¥4.8 million can come down to around ¥2.2 million after stacking Tokyo’s subsidy with the national government’s EV subsidy — a combined reduction of about ¥2.6 million, or more than half the sticker price. Other manufacturers have different top-up amounts (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, and Tesla currently qualify for a smaller ¥300,000 manufacturer top-up; BYD for ¥100,000 from Tokyo and ¥150,000 nationally), so the final math varies by brand and model.
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Who qualifies
- Vehicle must be registered in Tokyo — the subsidy is tied to where the car is registered, not the owner’s nationality or visa type.
- Individuals and businesses registering a qualifying new EV, plug-in hybrid, or fuel-cell vehicle in the metropolitan area.
- Stacking with the national subsidy is allowed — you apply to both programs, not one or the other.
- Add-on subsidies (charging equipment, solar, renewable energy plans) require documentation showing the equipment or plan is actually in place.
How to apply
- Choose a qualifying vehicle — confirm with the dealer that the specific model and grade is on Tokyo’s current subsidy list, since eligibility can vary by trim.
- Register the vehicle in Tokyo as part of your purchase.
- Apply to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s EV subsidy program (through the dealer or directly, depending on the program’s current process) with your registration documents.
- Apply separately to the national government’s EV subsidy — the two applications are independent, so don’t assume one covers the other.
- Apply for any add-ons (charger installation, solar, renewable energy enrollment) with the relevant supporting documents if applicable.
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Quick reference
- Tokyo base EV subsidy: ¥1,300,000
- Tokyo base hybrid subsidy: ¥1,150,000
- Manufacturer top-up: ¥100,000–¥400,000 depending on brand
- Stacks with: a separate national government EV subsidy (up to ¥1,300,000)
- Eligibility: tied to vehicle registration in Tokyo, not nationality
- Related: Tokyo App ¥11,000 Points Guide | Japan Real Estate 2026 Guide | Japan Electricity & Gas Bills 2026 | Moving to Japan — TIFE Community Hub
Tokyo EV subsidy 2026 FAQ
- Can foreign residents get Tokyo’s EV subsidy? Yes. Eligibility is tied to where the vehicle is registered, not the owner’s nationality or visa status.
- How much is Tokyo’s EV subsidy worth? Up to ¥1,300,000 for a fully electric vehicle, plus optional add-ons for charging equipment, solar power, and renewable energy plan enrollment.
- Can I combine Tokyo’s subsidy with the national government’s? Yes, the two subsidy programs are separate and can be applied for together, which is how buyers reach the largest total discounts.
- Does every EV brand get the same subsidy? No. Manufacturer top-ups vary — Toyota, Nissan, and Honda currently qualify for a ¥400,000 top-up, while some other brands qualify for less.
- Do I need solar panels to qualify for the base subsidy? No, solar power usage is an optional add-on worth an extra ¥300,000, not a requirement for the base EV or hybrid subsidy.
- Where do I apply? Through the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s EV subsidy program, typically coordinated with your dealer at the time of purchase, and separately with the national program.
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