Tokyo Metropolitan Subsidy for Private Operators Introducing Low-Pollution / Low-Fuel-Consumption Vehicles (CNG)

(1) Overview: The Tokyo Metropolitan Subsidy for Private Operators Introducing Low-Pollution / Low-Fuel-Consumption Vehicles is administered by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Bureau of Environment) under Article 34(1) of the Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Environment Securing Health and Safety of Residents. Its purpose is to promote the diffusion of low-pollution / low-fuel vehicles by subsidising part of the cost incurred when private operators purchase or convert vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) automobiles. The original ordinance was issued in 2001 and has been amended repeatedly; the latest version takes effect 1 April 2026 (Reiwa 8) and applies to the FY2026 subsidy. (2) Eligible applicants: Business operators that own vehicles whose registered base of use (as recorded on the vehicle inspection certificate) is located inside Tokyo, and who qualify as Small or Medium Enterprises under the SME Basic Act. Excluded are the Tokyo Bureau of Transportation, national / local governments, entities funded by national / local governments, organised crime members / affiliates, and organisations whose officers or employees include such persons. Leasing companies may apply only if the lessee meets the eligibility conditions; in that case the leasing company (owner of the vehicle) is the recipient. (3) Eligible expenses & subsidy content: Eligible vehicles are brand-new CNG automobiles whose gross vehicle weight exceeds 3.5 tons. Eligible expenses are either the conversion cost to a CNG vehicle, or the difference between the CNG vehicle body price and the body price of an equivalent vehicle that complies with the latest emission regulations under the Air Pollution Control Act. Consumption tax / local consumption tax that is subject to purchase-tax deduction is excluded from the eligible expenses. (4) Rates, cap, schedule, application points: The subsidy is paid as a flat amount per vehicle: JPY 200,000 per unit for vehicles over 8 tons gross weight, and JPY 100,000 per unit for vehicles over 3.5 tons and up to 8 tons. Fractions under JPY 1,000 are truncated. Procedure: file Application Form 1 with the Governor → receive decision notice (Form 2) → carry out the project → submit Performance Report (Form 5) → receive amount-confirmation notice (Form 6) → submit Invoice (Form 7) and receive payment. Acquired assets must be managed in good faith and ledgers retained for 5 years after completion.