The upcoming mini electric van from Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu will feature a battery big enough for around 200 km of range on a single charge
The trio Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu has unveiled a new electric van prototype at an exhibition highlighting automotive industry’s efforts towards carbon neutrality. This event is taking place between May 18th to 27th, 2023. JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association) is hosting this event and will take place along with G7 Hiroshima Summit.
All three manufacturers will showcase a badge-engineered version of the same electric minivan. First images are out and production-spec versions of this prototype will be named Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo. Is India among the target markets? Let’s take a look.
Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki Trio’s First Electric Van
Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo will primarily target the last-mile logistics industry and CJPTC (Commercial Japan Partnership Technology Corporation) gave inputs to this project regarding the same. The trio has tasked Daihatsu with manufacturing Pixis Van, Every and Hijet Cargo.
This is not the only project that this trio has on their cards. In an earlier post, we covered Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki’s mid-engined sports car. In that project, Toyota will develop suspension and other componentry, Suzuki will prepare the powertrain and Daihatsu designs it. It is an interesting proposition as a 1.0L turbo petrol unit powers it and it will weigh under 1,000 kg.
In this electric minivan project, Toyota is contributing towards electric powertrain. Suzuki and Daihatsu contribute with their expertise in manufacturing small cars and interior space engineering. The production version of this electric minivan is rumoured to feature a battery enough for 200 km of range.
Minivan with good cargo space
Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo will not compete with bigger electric vans like Fiat e-Ducato, upcoming VW ID Buzz Cargo and the likes. Instead, these offer a limited cargo space for the Japan market and other ASEAN markets where Kei cars are common. We hope India is a recipient too, as we can see it as a good intra city delivery van for both B2B and B2C models.
Speaking of Kei cars, this electric minivan looks like one too. Just longer in length. It has a cutesy appeal to it and features a boxy design. Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo will feature identical design. Except for Suzuki Every which gets a different front bumper. There is a front charging port as well but it is not centered, which could enhance convenience.
Considering that the trio is aiming for commercial and cargo applications, the stuck glass could have been a sheet metal. So, people carrying applications in the future might be on the cards. Notable elements are sliding doors, steel wheels, a small bonnet, and a flat roof with exposed rain gutters.
Image Source
Source: Electric - rushlane.com
