Start of Sales for Electric Microvans
After years of delays, the joint electric kei van project from Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki has finally moved from prototypes to series production in Japan.
The automakers announced the start of sales for the Toyota Pixis Van BEV, Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo, and Daihatsu e-Atrai RS models. It is expected that the very similar Suzuki e-Every will also appear on the market soon. The production versions debut almost three years after the first showing of the trio of models in 2023.
Exterior and Equipment
The zero-emission models look almost identical to their gasoline counterparts, which have been produced since 2021, but have received a charging port on the front bumper. The only difference between the Toyota and Daihatsu variants is the emblems. The passenger version, Daihatsu e-Atrai, is available exclusively in the RS trim with black steel wheels, matching body accents, chrome details, and electrically powered sliding doors on both sides.
Inside, the main innovation is the gear selector, borrowed from other Toyota models such as the Prius. Equipment includes heated front seats and automatic climate control for efficiency, a USB port, a 100V AC outlet for powering external devices, and an upgraded Smart Assist safety system.
Practicality remains key: there is an overhead storage compartment and smart interior storage systems. More importantly, the switch to electric propulsion has not affected cargo volume or maximum payload capacity, which is 350 kg.
Fully Electric Powertrain
The kei vans are technically identical, built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform with a new powertrain developed jointly by Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota.
A single rear electric motor (e-axle) develops 63 hp and 126 Nm of torque. This matches the power of the turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder gasoline engine but offers an additional 35 Nm of torque.
The lithium-ion battery, placed under the floor, has a capacity of 36.6 kWh, providing a range of 160 miles in the WLTC cycle between charges. This is 36 miles more than planned during the development stage and should be sufficient for urban deliveries. This figure is also slightly better than the 152 miles of the main competitor, the Honda N-Van e:.
A full charge from a standard 6 kW outlet takes about 6 hours, while a 50 kW fast charge will replenish the battery to 80% in 50 minutes. Furthermore, the electric vehicles are compatible with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology for powering household appliances.
Engineers have also applied special body reinforcements for the EVs, promising better handling due to a lower center of gravity and improved comfort thanks to a new rear suspension with a rigid axle and optimized spring characteristics.
Pricing and Production Plans
Unfortunately, the electric kei vans are significantly more expensive than their gasoline counterparts. Specifically, the Toyota Pixis Van BEV and Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo start from 3,146,000 yen (approximately $20,300) in Japan, which is almost triple the starting price of the gasoline variants at 1,100,000 yen (approximately $7,100). The Daihatsu e-Atrai RS is even more expensive, starting from 3,465,000 yen (approximately $22,400).
Production of the models will be carried out at the Daihatsu plant in Nakatsu, Japan. Toyota plans to sell 50 cars per month, while Daihatsu expects sales of 300 units monthly.
The high starting price of the new electric vans will likely be the main barrier to their mass adoption, despite the obvious advantages in environmental friendliness and operating costs. The success of these models in the market may largely depend on government subsidies or support programs for commercial electric vehicles. Interestingly, the manufacturers have set rather modest sales targets, which may indicate a cautious approach to launching the new technology in the commercial transport segment, where price and reliability have traditionally been decisive factors.