Japan is considering the possibility of subsidizing Tesla’s Supercharger electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of its ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States.
Currently, the Japanese government’s EV infrastructure subsidies are restricted to chargers using the domestic CHAdeMO standard, developed by Japanese automakers. Tesla’s Supercharger network, which uses a proprietary system, is excluded from this support. This policy has drawn criticism from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which has reportedly asked Japan to expand its subsidy framework to allow fair competition for American EV manufacturers.
According to a report by Japanese broadcaster TBS, Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, is expected to lead a delegation to Washington for a third round of talks. (via Reuters) The inclusion of Tesla’s charging technology in Japan’s subsidy program could serve as a key concession aimed at securing broader trade compromises with the U.S.
The talks are also expected to cover steep U.S. tariffs imposed on Japanese automotive exports. These include a 25% levy on vehicles and parts, a longstanding barrier for Japan’s export-heavy car industry. While Tokyo has pushed for complete tariff elimination, recent reports from the Nikkei suggest Japan may be willing to accept phased reductions in exchange for progress on other issues, such as EV infrastructure support.
Subsidizing Tesla’s Supercharger stations would mark a significant shift in Japan’s EV policy. Although Tesla vehicles can use CHAdeMO chargers with an adapter, charging speeds are typically slower and less integrated than on Tesla’s native network. In contrast, CHAdeMO-equipped vehicles are not compatible with Tesla’s Superchargers, creating a one-sided disadvantage.
