Suzuki has launched the e SKY, its first battery-electric kei passenger car, with a 310 km WLTC range and Japanese sales starting on Nov 16.
The front-wheel-drive e SKY uses a 26 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and Suzuki’s new HEARTECT-e EV platform. Energy consumption is rated at 97 Wh/km, which Suzuki said is the best among kei EVs in Japan to date.
Prices run from ¥2.12 million (RM54,800) for the made-to-order A grade to ¥2.79 million (RM72,200) for the X. Suzuki is targeting monthly sales of 1,000 units.
The company has packaged the motor, inverter and reduction gear into a compact oil-cooled eAxle, while regenerative-cooperative braking and weight reduction help stretch the relatively small battery. The e SKY also has a 4.4-metre turning radius.
Its arrival adds another contender to Japan’s growing electric kei-car segment.
The Nissan Sakura, one of the segment’s established players, offers 180 km WLTC from a 20 kWh battery. Honda’s newer N-ONE e: raises that to 295 km WLTC.
BYD has meanwhile entered the same market with the Japan-specific Racco. Launched in July, it offers 210 km in Racco 200 form and up to 320 km in the longer-range versions, putting the Suzuki almost level with BYD on outright range.
The e SKY therefore enters near the top of Japan’s kei-EV range rankings while using a smaller 26 kWh battery.
