Ehime Prefecture supports EVs (electric vehicles) through an indirect scheme in which the prefecture backs municipal subsidies (covering one-half of each municipality's subsidy for individuals, up to 100,000 yen). As a result, municipal subsidies for individuals here are among the most generous in Japan. The flagship example is Matsuyama City: 100,000 yen for an EV, plus 100,000 yen if you already have solar power, plus another 100,000 yen if you also have V2H — up to 300,000 yen in total. Saijo City pays a flat 200,000 yen. This article shows how to stack these with the national CEV subsidy (up to 1.3 million yen for EVs).
Think of Ehime's EV Subsidies as a "Three-Story Building"
CEV subsidy (the main player)
A national subsidy available to individuals and companies alike. In FY2026 it offers up to 1.3 million yen for EVs — the largest amount by far.
An indirect scheme backing municipalities
The prefecture funds 1/2 of municipal EV subsidies for individuals (up to 100,000 yen). Individuals apply at their municipal office.
Matsuyama up to 300,000 yen; Saijo 200,000 yen
Matsuyama City: 100,000 yen for an EV + 100,000 yen solar add-on + 100,000 yen V2H add-on. Saijo City: flat 200,000 yen. Imabari City uses a next-fiscal-year lottery.
[National] CEV Subsidy FY2026 (the Main Player)
"Up to 1.3 million yen" is a cap. The actual amount is set per model based on the vehicle's environmental performance and other criteria. Applications close once the budget runs out, and subsidized vehicles carry a mandatory holding period of 4 years in principle — disposing of the car earlier may require repayment. Check the exact subsidy amount for your model in the figures published by the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center.
For the full picture of the CEV subsidy and the situation nationwide, see our guide to EV subsidies in all 47 prefectures.
[Ehime Prefecture] Indirect Support That Makes Municipal Subsidies Generous
Ehime Prefecture's "Electric Vehicle Adoption Expansion Support Subsidy" is an indirect scheme in which the prefecture funds one-half (up to 100,000 yen) of municipal EV purchase subsidies for individuals. Individuals do not apply to the prefecture directly — they apply at their municipal office. Thanks to this mechanism, municipal subsidies for individuals in Ehime are among the most generous in the country.
[Municipalities] Matsuyama Stacks Up to 300,000 Yen; Saijo Pays a Flat 200,000 Yen
| City | Status in FY2026 |
|---|---|
| Matsuyama City | Accepting applications: a flat 100,000 yen for an EV purchase. Add 100,000 yen if solar power is already installed, and another 100,000 yen if both solar and V2H are installed — up to 300,000 yen (Zero Carbon City Promotion Subsidy). Applications accepted until January 29, 2027, first come, first served |
| Saijo City | Accepting applications: a flat 200,000 yen for a private-use EV. Requirements: individual resident, new vehicle, model eligible for the national CEV subsidy, application within 1 year of first registration, first come, first served |
| Imabari City | An unusual pay-later lottery scheme: vehicles registered in the previous fiscal year are subsidized by lottery in the following fiscal year. Check the city's official site for details |
Matsuyama's add-on structure is tiered so that households that already have solar and V2H benefit most. Saijo City offers a flat 200,000 yen with no solar requirement — the simplest conditions in the prefecture. Combined with the national CEV subsidy, Saijo can add up to roughly 500,000 yen on top for a standard EV.
Also Check EV "Taxes" (Automobile Tax Reductions)
Separately from subsidies, EVs are exempt from the environmental performance excise of the automobile tax (the FY2026 tax reform has also decided to abolish the excise itself), and the following year's automobile tax (ownership component) is reduced by roughly 75% under the green tax special measure. For details, see EV taxes and the 2026 automobile tax reform.
Are Subsidies Taxable?
EV subsidies received by individuals are treated as occasional income (ichiji shotoku). Because there is a special deduction of 500,000 yen per year, no tax is due as long as your total occasional income for the year, including other items, is 500,000 yen or less. Combining national and local subsidies usually stays within this limit, but be careful about the total in a year when you receive multiple large subsidies. Business use is treated differently — consult a tax accountant or other professional.
What to Do Today
What to do today
- Check the national CEV subsidy amount for your candidate model in the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center's list (the amount for your specific car, not the "up to 1.3 million yen" headline)
- Search "EV subsidy" on your municipality's official website; in Ehime, schemes differ greatly by city, so check the remaining budget and application status
- Work backward from your delivery date to build an application schedule (check three things: registration date, application deadline, and budget exhaustion)
FAQ
Q. How do I qualify for Matsuyama City's maximum of 300,000 yen?
A. On top of the base 100,000 yen for an EV purchase, 100,000 yen is added if your home already has solar power, and another 100,000 yen if both solar and V2H are installed — up to 300,000 yen in total. Confirm your equipment status before applying.
Q. What are the conditions for Saijo City's 200,000 yen?
A. An individual resident must purchase a new EV (a model eligible for the national CEV subsidy) for private use, and apply within 1 year of first registration. There is no bundled requirement such as solar power.
Q. What is Imabari City's "lottery scheme"?
A. It is an unusual scheme in which vehicles registered in the previous fiscal year are subsidized by lottery in the following fiscal year. Because the timing of applications and the fiscal-year mapping are distinctive, be sure to check the city's official website.
Q. Is there any subsidy I can apply for directly to the prefecture?
A. There is no direct prefectural subsidy for individuals (the prefecture provides indirect support to municipalities). A direct subsidy for businesses existed in the past, but its continuation in FY2026 has not been confirmed.
References (Sources)
Note: Subsidy amounts, requirements, and application status are as of August 2026. Programs may end early depending on budget consumption. Always check the latest information on each official website before applying.