The growth potential of electric vehicles is being hampered by a lack of charging stations nationwide, industry experts say.
Some analysts in the industry have noted that electric vehicle (EV) sales have been slower than anticipated since mass-produced electric vehicles debuted in Japan in 2009. However, such pessimism hasn't deflated the hopes of those attending the Electric Vehicle and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Exhibition at Tokyo's Big Sight, which was held from Wednesday to Friday.
"When (Toyota Motor Corp.'s hybrid) Prius debuted in 1997, it struggled to attract sales at first. Compared to how hybrid cars were doing after they appeared on the domestic market, I think EVs are doing a little better," says Norikazu Ogino, who heads the next-generation car department at Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.