Toyota Motor Corp, in collaboration with Daihatsu and Suzuki Motor Corp, has introduced a micro-sized electric van intended for Japan’s delivery sector during the G7 summit held in Hiroshima. The companies jointly announced that the small commercial van will operate on a battery electric vehicle (BEV) system being developed by Toyota.
It will be available in Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki versions, with an anticipated range of approximately 200 km (124 miles) per charge. Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota since 2016, will handle the production of these vehicles. The van will fall under the category of “kei” vehicles, which are known for their low power and taxation in Japan.
Kei vehicles, particularly micro-sized ones, are widely favored by businesses and households for delivering agricultural produce, parcels, and other goods in urban and rural areas due to their affordability. As of the end of February, kei models constituted 40% of the 78.8 million four-wheel vehicles in Japan, according to the latest data from the transport ministry.
The G7 summit’s focus on emission reduction aligns with Toyota’s release of this electric van, as other Japanese automakers like Honda and Mitsubishi are also expanding their offerings of electric mini-commercial vans.
