Tesla aims to expand its charging network in Japan by 40% by 2027, extending its coverage beyond major metropolitan areas to support growth in a market that is already seeing strong sales.
The company currently operates 695 charging points at 138 locations across the country and is expected to install the 700th later this year. The objective is to exceed 1,000 chargers distributed between 180 and 200 points by 2027.
Globally, the automaker manages more than 75,000 “superchargers” that use the proprietary NACS standard, a fast charging system that has become a benchmark in North America.
In Japan, however, the fast CHAdeMO standard predominates, with 12,618 devices installed as of March, a number far higher than Tesla’s. The brand’s vehicles can use them using an adapter.
Although Tesla models can be charged at home, drivers rely on fast charging stations for long journeys – and the country’s lack of adequate infrastructure poses a barrier.
Most CHAdeMO equipment has been installed by specialized operators. Building its own network is typically expensive for automakers, but Tesla’s strong business performance has encouraged progress.
CEO Elon Musk’s political image has affected sales in the United States and Europe, but Japan has been an exception.
Between January and November, Tesla sold around 10,090 vehicles in the country, double the number recorded the previous year and above the 2022 record of around 5,920 units, surpassing the 10,000 mark for the first time.
During the same period, the total number of electric vehicles (EVs) sold in Japan was 55,380. Kei electric minicompacts, such as the Sakura (Nissan) and N-ONE e: (Honda), accounted for 40% of sales, while Tesla led among full-size models, with 30%.
Competition is expected to intensify in the conventional segment next month, when Nissan launches the new Leaf and Suzuki introduces its first electric vehicle, the Vitara. Tesla hopes that expanding its network will differentiate it from Japanese brands.
If the car manufacturer manages to boost its sales by developing fast charging stations, this could encourage independent operators to install compatible equipment. As of March, there were about 350 third-party-operated standard Tesla chargers in the country.
Swiss electricity giant ABB plans to start rolling out Tesla-compatible chargers in Japan next year. The Japanese PowerX, another big name in fast charging, is also preparing to adopt the standard.
US President Donald Trump has previously criticized CHAdeMO, calling it a non-tariff trade barrier, for forcing foreign automakers to adapt their models if they want to sell them in Japan.
More and more Japanese manufacturers are adhering to Tesla’s NACS standard. In addition to Mazda and Sony Honda Mobility, European group Stellantis announced last month that it would start selling compatible models in the country from 2027.
Japan has the lowest adoption rate of electric vehicles among advanced economies, at around 2%. Expanding the Tesla network could help reduce consumer uncertainty about charging point availability.
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