Nissan and Mitsubishi to launch an electric Kei car next year

Nissan and Mitsubishi collaborate for the launch of the Kei electric mini car for the upcoming year 2022. Both Japanese automakers plan to sell the EV in the home market for less than 2 million yen (SGD 24663), according to a recent report by Nikkei Asia. The marginalized price tag aims to fill the low-end market gap keeping a similar cost to that of the combustion engine vehicle. 

The fascination for inexpensive minicars plays a significant role in Japan’s speedy adoption, significantly when it lags behind other crucial markets of Europe and China. These cars comprise a majority of the market, with around 40% of the cars belonging to the electric category. With Nissan and Mitsubishi entering the EV market, having an affordable price range, no doubt the sales and appeal of this electric car are going to reach their peak.

The alliance partners are mutually developing the Kei-based car with a shared platform and battery to keep the price range within control. The battery range is expected to produce 200 km, which is ideal for a minicar intended for short-range day-to-day driving. This typically reduces the system’s overall expense, accounting for 30% of the electric vehicle’s pricing. 

Coming to the dimensions, the IMk concept-based (pictured here) vehicle measures 1,644 mm in height, 3,434 mm in length, and 1,512 mm in width, close to the specs available in the best Kei cars. The interior has a lounge-like feel with its connected technologies like Nissan Energy Share (Vehicle-to-Home) systems and Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) and also the latest ProPILOT. 

Several automobile companies are developing inexpensive electric ultra compacts to offer a diverse range of electric vehicles in the low-end market. This has been followed due to the government’s push on decarbonization, with the four-wheeler segment getting popular with such eco-friendly and affordable EV cars.

Next on the line is Toyota Motors two seated C+pod that is slated to be introduced in the market in the upcoming year, with the pricing starting from 1.65 million yen. Also, we will see the entry of an oil company Idemitsu Kosan in the auto business next year with an EV car priced between 1 million yen and 1.5 million yen. 

Japan’s complex electric car market makes it even more challenging for Tesla to get through the market. It will be pretty interesting to see how Japanese automakers contribute to the world of electric cars in the future. 

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