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Mitsubishi & Nissan Have Revealed Small EVs For Japan!
Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. presented two new electric minicars, wagering that buyers will welcome a battery-powered version of the popular class of small, inexpensive Japanese cars.
Nissan’s Sakura and Mitsubishi’s eK X EV were unveiled on Friday, marking a significant push into a less-served segment of the EV market that might help promote broader adoption. The two compact, boxy electric cars will go on sale in Japan this summer, with prices starting at less than $15,000.
Small, inexpensive “Kei” minivans are a standard mode of transportation in Japan, particularly among workers and families who live outside of big cities where roads are narrow and public transportation is scarce. They will account for more than a third of new passenger car registrations in Japan by 2020.
The Kei-car category has been identified as particularly challenging to electrify as Japan’s government strives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. According to industry authorities, adding batteries to Kei vehicles might boost their prices beyond the reach of regular purchasers.
According to Miyao, the cost of purchasing Kei EVs would eventually decrease to 1.5 million yen ($11,700). The combined models from Nissan and Mitsubishi are quite similar. Both automobiles start at roughly 1.8 million yen after incentives. While it is on the higher end of the pricing range for the segment, Japanese manufacturers have been increasing costs in recent years as they have introduced more equipment and safety systems.
The cars created by the automakers’ joint venture NMKV Co. are equipped with modest 20-kilowatt-hour batteries, providing them with “enough cruising range to suit everyday demands.” I hope that more consumers will be able to benefit from the advantages that electric vehicles may provide.
Nissan Chief Executive Officer Makoto Uchida stated at a ceremony in Okayama.
Other manufacturers, such as Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.’s Daihatsu Motor Co., are planning to launch their own electric micro versions in the coming years, potentially speeding up Japan’s generally sluggish adoption of EVs.
Nissan and Mitsubishi will be the first to launch.
According to Carnorama’s Miyao, the response of their Kei EVs may provide some insight into how other manufacturers will perform in the age of the electrified minicar.
