Suzuki undercuts BYD as competition grows in market for low-budget EV minicars
The arrival of Suzuki's first fully electric minicar adds to signs Japan is becoming a key battleground for electric versions of the tiny vehicles.
Suzuki has introduced its first fully electric minicar, the "e SKY", aiming to enter a highly competitive market in Japan. Priced at around ¥1.6 million (including government subsidies) when it launches in November, the e SKY is cheaper than Nissan's popular Sakura EV and BYD's first minicar, launched in July by the Chinese automaker.
Minicars, which are small, affordable vehicles that make up more than a third of automobile sales in Japan, are a key focus for the Japanese automotive industry. With Nissan, Honda, Daihatsu, and now Suzuki all producing electric versions, the market is becoming increasingly contested. Suzuki plans to sell around 1,000 units monthly, with a base price of ¥2.1 million.
The e SKY boasts a 310-kilometer range and the ability for subsidies to reduce its price by approximately ¥500,000. BYD's Racco minicar, with a minimum range of 210 kilometers, will be available for under ¥2 million including subsidies. In Japan, where electric vehicle adoption is lower than in the U.S., Europe, or China, Suzuki believes its first electric minicar can lower the cost barrier for consumers considering the switch from traditional gasoline vehicles.
The e SKY's chief engineer, Tomoyuki Tsubata, stated that the company aimed to create a product that would convince current minicar owners to make the switch to electric.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
