Japanese automakers Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu have officially announced plans to introduce fully electric versions of their kei vans in Japan by the end of 2025. The electric versions of the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet were first shown in prototype form at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in 2023, but the launch has been delayed by two years.
Toyota , Suzuki , and Daihatsu are set to launch their electric kei vans in Japan this year. The models are electric iterations of the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet. These triplets were first unveiled in prototype form in 2023, during the G7 Hiroshima Summit, when they were initially slated for release.
Japanese automakers Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu have officially confirmed plans to introduce fully electric versions of their kei vans in the domestic market before the end of 2025, two years later than originally anticipated. The electric versions of the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet were first showcased in prototype form during the G7 Hiroshima Summit in 2023, the year they were intended to launch. The recent announcement doesn't elaborate on the delay but confirms that all three models are finally on track for release this year. These EV kei vans share the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, meaning they are essentially the same vehicle underneath, differentiated primarily by branding and badging. Visually, they are nearly identical to their gasoline-powered counterparts, with a charging port on the front bumper and, predictably, the absence of an exhaust pipe. Manufacturing will be handled by Daihatsu, which also produces the existing internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered versions. They will be powered by a jointly developed BEV system, leveraging Suzuki and Daihatsu's expertise in crafting small-size vehicles with Toyota's electrification technology. Performance specifications remain somewhat ambiguous, as the automakers haven't disclosed the electric motor's output or battery capacity. However, they project an estimated range of approximately 200 km (124 miles) per charge— surpassing the aging Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV's 133 km (83 miles) range but falling short of the Honda N-Van e's 245 km (152 miles). For context, the current gasoline-powered kei vans utilize a 660cc engine, generating 46 hp (34 kW) in naturally aspirated form or 63 hp (47 kW) with a turbocharger. Whether the EV versions will offer enhanced power or retain the same cargo-carrying capabilities remains to be seen.The zero-emission versions of these mini-light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are designed to serve as a last-mile delivery solution. The models will contribute to the companies' collective efforts towards carbon neutrality, a shared objective among the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
Electric Vehicles Kei Vans Toyota Suzuki Daihatsu Japan Automotive Industry Carbon Neutrality
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