Japan’s exciting, fictional sports cars obscure its true progress on electrification

THIS year’s Japan Mobility Show, which ran from Oct 26 to Nov 5, featured such an array of sexy, sporty electric vehicles (EVs) that any attendee might be excused for eagerly anticipating a rush of Japanese sports cars into the market – riding a wave of electrons instead of petrol.

That fancy display, however, drew attention from a side of electrified motoring where Japan is making progress: commercial vehicles and motorcycles.

Almost every Japanese car manufacturer – including Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, and even smaller brands such as Daihatsu and Mazda – had sports car concepts on display at the show.