ENECHANGE Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tomoya Maruoka) is pleased to announce that it has joined GREEN JOURNEY, a public-private partnership aimed at promoting a new sustainable travel style. This initiative, launched by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nippon Travel Agency  Co., Ltd., seeks to advance sustainable tourism by reducing CO2 emissions from travel and addressing local issues. Through this project, ENECHANGE will collaborate with local authorities and member companies to promote the development of EV charging infrastructure in GREEN JOURNEY target areas, thereby contributing to the realization of environmentally sustainable tourism.

Background to accession

In response to the increasing interest in sustainable tourism, GREEN JOURNEY introduces a new travel style that immerses travellers in local culture and nature through eco-friendly transportation, accommodations, and activities. This project is an effort to contribute to the SDGs in an accessible manner by illustrating the reduction in CO2 emissions associated with travel and including environmentally friendly activities. 

The first GREEN JOURNEY tours will commence in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Shima City, Mie Prefecture, in August 2024. The initiative has been launched in these two cities. A key feature of this tour is the use of electric vehicles (EVs) with zero CO2 emissions for travel to the destination, promoting comfortable and eco-conscious journeys. However, to ensure a seamless travel experience using EVs, concerns about “running out of power” and the need to alter destinations or schedules due to a lack of EV charging spots must be addressed. Additional issues such as difficulty in locating charging spots, payment inconvenience, and the inability to use charging cards can also be factors that reduce the satisfaction of tourists.

GREEN JOURNEY aims to expand to 200 regions and reach a total of 10 million users by 2033. To offer a comfortable, stress-free, and sustainable travel experience using EVs, ENECHANGE plans to collaborate with local authorities and member companies to provide charging facilities at tourist attractions and accommodations in targeted regions. The company will advocate for the development of charging infrastructure at these sites.

Overview of cooperation

・Development of Recharging Spots

To create an environment where EV users can enjoy sightseeing without the anxiety of running out of electricity, EV chargers will be installed as “light charging spots” at tourist facilities and as “full charging spots” at accommodation establishments, enhancing convenience for travelers. Notably, by enabling charging at tourist facilities, the previously tedious waiting time for charging can be transformed into an opportunity to explore the beautiful natural landscapes and captivating cultural experiences of the destination. This approach contributes to both a comfortable tourism experience and regional revitalization. ENECHANGE EV Charge service provides comprehensive support, covering everything from the installation to the operation of charging ports.

・The official LINE Mini App and EVsmart collaborate to provide an EV charger map

The official GREEN JOURNEY LINE Mini App and EVsmart, a search site for regular and fast charging ports designed for EV and PHEV drivers, have partnered to provide an EV charger map. This app enables users to easily check charging port availability, initiate charging and payments, search for charging ports from other providers, and, by registering their vehicle type, compare the charging fee with petrol costs. Additionally, it offers an optimal charging plan tailored to the user’s needs.

About GREEN JOURNEY

The GREEN JOURNEY Promotion Committee was established by a partnership between industry, academia and government, with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd. as the two founding companies, and a total of 14 companies, including:

• JR Group (Hokkaido Railway Company, East Japan Railway Company, Central Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company, Shikoku Railway Company, Kyushu Railway Company, and Japan Freight Railway Company)
• Arukikata. Co., Ltd.
• otetsutabi Co., Ltd.
• TBWA HAKUHODO
• Earth hacks Co., Ltd.
• Japan Geoparks Network (a specified nonprofit corporation) 

The GREEN JOURNEY Promotion Committee, which was established to reduce CO2 emissions and solve local issues, announced a new sustainable travel style called GREEN JOURNEY on Tuesday, 20th August 2024. Even now, after the announcement, the number of companies supporting the initiative continues to grow.

The travel and tourism industry accounts for more than 10% of global CO2 emissions, and the majority of this is generated by the movement of travellers. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of tours such as sustainable tourism, but this is still not very common in Japan. 

On the other hand, domestic tourism demand is increasing due to the effects of the post-coronavirus and weak yen, and if we can take advantage of this opportunity to promote the sustainability of domestic travel, the GREEN JOURNEY Promotion committee believes that a significant contribution to the environment and local communities can be made. Therefore, the GREEN JOURNEY Promotion Committee devised a new travel standard called GREEN JOURNEY. The companies currently participating in this project will work together to promote it towards a common goal.

Special website for reservations: https://www.nta.co.jp/kokunai/greenjourney 
Community website: https://www.greenjourney-project.jp

ENECHANGE EV Charge

ENECHANGE has been providing the EV Charging Service since November 2021 to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society. ENECHANGE EV Charge is an EV charging service that allows the use of 3kW/6kW Level 2 charging ports installed at commercial facilities, accommodations, offices, and condominiums nationwide. It offers plans with zero installation and monthly fees, and is the No. 1*2 choice among many businesses for its total support from installation to operation.

ENECHANGE also has the No.1-downloaded*3 free app to allow for easy checking of charge port availability and conducting charging sessions and payment processes. Additionally, it enables searching for charging ports from ENECHANGE and other companies. By registering the vehicle model, it can display the difference between charging costs and gasoline costs, and suggest the optimal charging plan.

In addition to app payments, where the user only pays for the amount charged, charging cards provided by e-Mobility Power and various automobile companies are also available. Furthermore, the “ENECHANGE Passport”, a flat-rate subscription plan of 2,980 JPY (tax included) per month, allows multiple charges during daytime hours and offers significant economic benefits, especially to EV drivers without home charging facilities.

*2. Based on the number of installed Level 2 charging ports (6kW, 200V) by an app-based service provider (as of February 1, 2025, according to GoGoEV).
*3. Number of iOS & Android downloads among five EV Charging Service companies (as of December 1, 2024, according to data.ai research).
ENECHANGE EV Charge website: https://ev-charge-ENECHANGE.jp/
ENECHANGE EV Charge app
AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id911721775
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.evsmart

ENECHANGE Ltd.

ENECHANGE is an energy technology company that promotes a carbon-free society through digital technology with the mission of Changing Energy For A Better World. We offer services based on data utilization in the field of the 4Ds of Energy: Deregulation, Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Decentralization. Our company’s roots come from an energy data lab at the University of Cambridge, UK – a country where liberalization is mature. ENECHANGE has a UK subsidiary, ENECHANGE Innovation Limited, as well as a global network and analytical technology for energy data.

URL: https://ENECHANGE.co.jp/en/

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ENECHANGE Ltd.
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