- Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu will launch their electric kei vans this year in Japan.
- The models are electric versions of the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet.
- The triplets were shown in prototype form in 2023 when they were originally supposed to debut.
Japanese automakers Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu have officially announced plans to introduce fully electric versions of their kei vans in the domestic market before the end of 2025, two years later than originally promised.
The electric versions of the Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every, and Daihatsu Hijet were first shown in prototype form during the G7 Hiroshima Summit in 2023, the year they were supposed to hit the streets. The latest announcement doesn’t explain the delay, but it does confirm that all three models are finally on track for release this year.
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These EV kei vans share the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, meaning they’re essentially the same vehicle underneath, with only branding and badging setting them apart. Visually, they’re nearly identical to their gas-powered counterparts, save for a charging port on the front bumper and—predictably—the lack of an exhaust pipe.
The EVs will be manufactured by Daihatsu, which also makes the existing ICE-powered versions. They will be powered by a “jointly developed BEV system”, combining “Suzuki and Daihatsu’s expertise in creating small-size cars with Toyota’s electrification technology”.
Performance details remain vague, as the automakers haven’t disclosed the electric motor’s output or battery capacity. However, they claim an estimated range of around 200 km (124 miles) per charge—better than the aging Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV 133 km (83 miles) but falling short of the Honda N-Van e:’s 245 km (152 miles).
For comparison, the current gasoline-powered kei vans use a 660cc engine, producing 46 hp (34 kW) in naturally aspirated form or 63 hp (47 kW) with a turbocharger. Whether the EV versions will offer more power or maintain the same cargo-hauling abilities remains to be seen.
The zero-emission versions of the mini-LCVs are designed as a last-mile delivery solution. The models will contribute to the companies’ efforts towards carbon neutrality, which is a shared goal among the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
