Toyota, Daihatsu and Suzuki plan 2025 launch of BE micro CV

Daihatsu Hijet Cargo BE CV prototype Daihatsu Hijet Cargo BE CV prototype (Photo: Toyota Motor)

Back in 2023, Toyota, Daihatsu (a wholly-owned division of Toyota) and Suzuki revealed that the three companies were planning to launch a new, pure-electric micro commercial vehicle.

The project would leverage the small vehicle production know-how of Daihatsu and Suzuki, while using a battery-electric powertrain developed by Toyota.

Not much was heard about the project over the ensuing period, but now the three partner companies have announced plans to introduce the new micro commercial EV over 2025.

Intended to support last-mile logistics, the new van will have a range of about 200 km. No other details covering the powertrain have been released.

It is understood that each of the three partners will market variants of the new CV BEV under their own brand.

Prototypes of the commercial EV resemble the existing Daihatsu Hijet kei car (the image of the Daihatsu prototype is badged ‘Hijet Commercial’). Kei, which translates as ‘light’, models are the smallest vehicle category allowed to use highways in Japan.

To qualify as a kei car, which are subject to lower road taxes, the vehicle can be no longer than 3.4 metres (11.2 feet) and have a maximum width of 1.48 m (4.9 feet). Max height is 2.0 metres (6.6 feet).

Engines must have a displacement of no greater than 0.66 litres (660 cubic centimetres) and power output must be no more than 63 hp/47 kW.

Kei vehicles are popular in Japan and other countries in Asia as their small size gives them access to streets where larger models simply don’t fit. This manoeuvrability has seen micro trucks adapted for a series of civil purposes, including trash collection and fire services.

Kei cars can be used in the UK, for example, but they must first pass the IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test and have any necessary modifications completed.

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