If you buy an EV in Ishikawa Prefecture, you can receive the prefecture's own subsidy on top of the nationwide national subsidy. The national CEV subsidy is up to ¥1.3 million for an EV. On top of this, Ishikawa Prefecture's "Subsidy for the Promotion of Purchases of Electric Vehicles, etc." (FY2026) is added: ¥150,000 for EV/PHV, ¥300,000 for FCV, and up to ¥25,000 for charging equipment. A distinctive feature, however, is that EV/PHV applicants must have renewable energy equipment such as solar power generation or a 100% renewable-energy electricity contract. This article organizes the amounts, requirements, and application period, as well as the taxes on subsidies you receive.
① The national CEV subsidy is nationwide and offers up to ¥1.3 million for an EV (¥580,000 for a mini EV, ¥850,000 for a PHEV)[METI (in Japanese)].
② Ishikawa Prefecture (FY2026): EV ¥150,000 / PHV ¥150,000 / FCV ¥300,000 (all fixed amounts). Charging equipment up to ¥25,000[Ishikawa Prefecture (in Japanese)].
③ EV/PHV applicants must have renewable energy equipment (installation of solar power generation, or a contract for a 100% renewable-energy electricity plan).
④ Eligible parties are individuals residing in the prefecture, corporations with a place of business in the prefecture, and lessees. The vehicle must be eligible for and have received the national CEV subsidy, and its base of use must be within the prefecture. Used and unregistered-used ("shinko") cars are not eligible. Registration with Eco Family is also required.
⑤ The application period is April 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027 (must arrive by this date). Applications may be halted if the total budget is exceeded.
⑥ A subsidy you receive for a personal private car is temporary income. If the national + prefectural total exceeds the ¥500,000 special deduction, a tax return may be required[National Tax Agency (in Japanese)].
Amounts of Ishikawa's "Subsidy for the Promotion of Purchases of Electric Vehicles, etc."
Ishikawa Prefecture's FY2026 subsidy is set as a fixed amount for each vehicle type[Ishikawa Prefecture (in Japanese)].
| Category | Subsidy amount (fixed) |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle (EV) | ¥150,000 |
| Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) | ¥150,000 |
| Fuel cell vehicle (FCV) | ¥300,000 |
| Charging equipment | Up to ¥25,000 |
The charging-equipment subsidy is basically applied for at the same time as the EV subsidy, and cannot be combined with the national charging-equipment subsidy. Please confirm the latest amounts and quotas on Ishikawa Prefecture's official page.
The biggest distinctive feature: EV/PHV require "renewable energy equipment"
Under Ishikawa's subsidy, anyone applying for an EV or PHV must have renewable energy equipment. Specifically, installation of solar power generation equipment at your home or elsewhere, or a contract for a 100% renewable-energy electricity plan, is required. Furthermore, you must continue to use renewable energy during the disposal-restriction period (the period in which you are obligated to keep the vehicle). It is a system designed to bundle "running the EV on renewable energy," so check your home's electricity contract and solar situation before applying.
- Eligible parties: individuals residing in the prefecture, corporations with a place of business in the prefecture, and lessees.
- Eligible vehicles / requirements: the vehicle must be eligible for and have received the national CEV subsidy, and its base of use must be located within Ishikawa Prefecture. Used and unregistered-used ("shinko") cars are not eligible. Registration with Eco Family is required.
- Application period: April 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027 (must arrive by this date). If the total application amount exceeds the total budget, applications may be halted.
How much do the national and prefectural subsidies come to?
The national subsidy is set individually by vehicle type and performance, so it is not uniform, but combined with Ishikawa's fixed amount the picture is roughly as follows (amounts are a guide).
- National CEV subsidy: up to ¥1.3 million depending on the vehicle type (in practice, set individually per vehicle type)
- Ishikawa Prefecture: ¥150,000 (fixed amount)
- If the total exceeds ¥500,000, a temporary-income tax return may be required (see below).
For an overview of the national subsidy and how to look it up, the Guide to EV subsidies in all 47 prefectures is useful; for subsidies to consider together with renewable energy equipment, the Guide to solar, storage battery, and V2H subsidies is also a helpful reference.
Taxes on subsidies you receive
- A personal private car: This is temporary income. Half of what remains after subtracting the ¥500,000 special deduction from the year's total temporary income is subject to tax. If the national + prefectural total exceeds ¥500,000, a tax return may be required[National Tax Agency No.1490 (in Japanese)].
- Business use: A sole proprietor records it as miscellaneous revenue in business income, and a corporation records it as taxable income (ekikin). Using compressed-entry accounting (for blue-return filers and corporations), you can record the vehicle's acquisition cost minus the subsidy amount, holding down taxation in the year you receive it[National Tax Agency No.5765 (in Japanese)].
For whether a return is needed, see Filing a tax return for a side job; for expensing a business-use vehicle, please also check 10 gray-area items on what counts as an expense.
FAQ
If I buy an EV in Ishikawa Prefecture, can I get subsidies from both the national government and the prefecture?
Yes. The national CEV subsidy (nationwide, up to ¥1.3 million for an EV) and Ishikawa Prefecture's Subsidy for the Promotion of Purchases of Electric Vehicles, etc. (EV/PHV ¥150,000, FCV ¥300,000) are separate systems and can be combined. Because applications may be halted if the total budget is exceeded, it is safer to check early.
What does "renewable energy equipment is required" for Ishikawa's subsidy mean?
Anyone applying for an EV or PHV must have renewable energy equipment, such as installation of solar power generation equipment or a contract for a 100% renewable-energy electricity plan. In addition, you must continue to use renewable energy during the period you are obligated to keep the vehicle. Check your home's electricity contract and solar situation before applying.
Is a used EV eligible?
No. Ishikawa's subsidy does not cover used or unregistered-used ("shinko") cars, and it is a prerequisite that the vehicle is eligible for and has received the national CEV subsidy. Registration with Eco Family and other conditions are also requirements.
Is the subsidy taxed?
A personal private car is temporary income, and half of what remains after subtracting the ¥500,000 special deduction from the year's total temporary income is subject to tax. If the national + prefectural total exceeds ¥500,000, a tax return may be required. For business use, it is recorded as miscellaneous revenue or taxable income, and taxation can be deferred with compressed-entry accounting.
Reference links (sources)
- Ishikawa Prefecture's subsidy (Subsidy for the Promotion of Purchases of Electric Vehicles, etc., FY2026): Ishikawa Prefecture FY2026 Subsidy for the Promotion of Purchases of Electric Vehicles, etc. (in Japanese)
- National CEV subsidy (FY2025 supplementary; up to ¥1.3 million for an EV, etc.): METI (in Japanese) / eligible vehicle types and subsidy amounts: Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center (in Japanese)
- Tax treatment of subsidies: National Tax Agency No.1490 Temporary income (in Japanese) / National Tax Agency No.5765 Compressed-entry accounting for subsidies, etc. (in Japanese)
* Ishikawa's subsidy changes in amount, requirements, deadline, and budget each fiscal year. This article is general information; please confirm the definitive amount and the latest application status on Ishikawa Prefecture's official page. For individual tax decisions, consult a tax office or a tax accountant.