LoginTiny Toyota And Daihatsu Kei Vans Finally Go Electric After Years Of Delays
- Toyota and Daihatsu have finally launched their electric kei vans in Japan.
- The powertrain makes 63 hp of power and offers up to 160 miles of range.
- Prices are nearly triple of those of the gasoline-powered equivalents.
Following multi-year delays, the electric kei van project from Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki has finally transitioned from prototypes to production reality in Japan.
The automakers have announced the market launch of the Toyota Pixis Van BEV, the Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo and the Daihatsu e-Atrai RS, with a nearly identical Suzuki e-Every expected to follow soon. The production versions arrive nearly three years after the triplets were first previewed in 2023.
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The zero-emission models look just like the ICE-powered equivalents that have been around since 2021, but have a charging port on the front bumper. The only difference between the Toyota and the Daihatsu variants are the badges. As for the passenger-friendly Daihatsu e-Atrai, it is exclusively available in the RS trim with black steelies, matching exterior accents, chrome details, and power sliding doors on both sides.
Inside, the highlight is the new shifter, sourced from other Toyota models such as the Prius. Equipment includes heated front seats and auto A/C for greater efficiency, a USB port, an AC 100V outlet for powering external devices, and an enhanced preventing safety system called Smart Assist.
Practicality remains the key with an overhead compartment, and clever storage solutions within the cabin. More importantly, the switch to electric power doesnβt affect the cargo space or the maximum load capacity of 350 kg (772 lbs).
Fully Electric Powertrain
The kei vans are identical under the skin, riding on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform with a new powertrain developed jointly by Suzuki, Daihatsu and Toyota.
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A single rear-mounted electric motor (e-axle) is good for 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS) and 126 Nm (93 lb-ft) of torque. This matches the power output of the turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder gasoline option, while offering an extra 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) of torque.
The floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack has a capacity of 36.6 kWh, allowing a WLTC range of 160 miles (257 km) between charges. This is 36 miles (57 km) more than the targeted figure during development, and should be enough for urban deliveries. It is also slightly better than the 152 mile (245 km) range of the Honda N-Van e: which is their main competitor.
A full charge is completed in around 6 hours from a standard 6 kW outlet, while a 50 kW fast charger will take it to 80% in 50 minutes. Finally, the EVs are compatible with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology.
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Engineers have also applied BEV-specific structural reinforcements to the chassis, promising better handling thanks to the lower center of gravity, and improved ride comfort thanks to the new trailing-link rigid-axle rear suspension and the optimised spring rates.
Pricing
Unfortunately, the electric kei vans are significantly pricier than the ICE-powered equivalents. More specifically, both the Toyota Pixis Van BEV and the Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo are priced from Β₯3,146,000 ($20,300) in Japan, which is nearly triple the Β₯1,100,000 ($7,100) starting price of the gasoline variants. The Daihatsu e-Atrai RS is even more expensive, starting at Β₯3,465,000 ($22,400).
Production of the models will take place At the Daihatsu plant in Nakatsu, Japan. Toyota targets 50 sales per month, while Daihatsu expects to sell 300 units per month.
