The trio of Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu has revealed a new electric van prototype at an automotive exhibition focused on carbon neutrality efforts in the industry. This event is taking place from May 18th to 27th, 2023, hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and coinciding with the G7 Hiroshima Summit. The prototype will be transformed into production models named the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo.
These electric vans are primarily aimed at the last-mile logistics industry, with input from the Commercial Japan Partnership Technology Corporation (CJPTC) guiding the project in that direction. Daihatsu will handle the manufacturing of these electric minivans.
While the trio’s larger electric vans like the Fiat e-Ducato and upcoming VW ID Buzz Cargo target a different market segment, the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo are designed to cater to markets where Kei cars (compact cars in Japan) are popular. These electric minivans offer limited cargo space, making them suitable for intra-city delivery applications in markets like Japan, ASEAN, and potentially India.
The production versions of these electric minivans are expected to feature a battery with approximately 200 km of range on a single charge. They have a boxy and compact design, reminiscent of Kei cars, with sliding doors and front charging ports. While they are initially aimed at commercial and cargo applications, future variations for people-carrying purposes could be on the horizon.
These electric minivans represent another step in the push toward electrification in the automotive industry, particularly in segments that focus on practicality and efficiency in urban environments.
