The automotive industry is going electric and that even applies to Japan’s tiny kei cars. The latest is coming from Nissan, which has announced plans to introduce an “all-new, all-electric minivehicle in Japan in early FY2022.” The company didn’t release pictures, but said the EV will measure 3,395 mm long, 1,475 mm wide and 1,655 mm tall. That’s smaller than the Chevrolet Spark and the company said the compact dimensions are “designed to provide easy driving and handling in Japan’s often cramped traffic environments.”
The model will be equipped with a 20 kWh battery and promises to have enough range to meet the daily needs of Japanese drivers. The EV will also have a bidirectional charging capability, which enables the vehicle to power homes in the event of an emergency. Nissan was tight-lipped on performance specifications, but said the upcoming model will offer “instant acceleration” and “smooth driving.” The EV also promises to have a quiet cabin filled with advanced technologies and the latest driver assistance systems.
The EV is being developed by NMKV, which is a 50/50 joint venture between Nissan and Mitsubishi. More details will be released in the coming months, but Nissan said pricing is expected to start at approximately ¥ 2 million (US$ 18,209 / £ 13,224 / € 15,438) before subsidies.
