Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors unveiled two new electric mini vehicles, betting consumers will embrace a battery-powered take on the well-loved class of tiny, affordable Japanese cars.that could help spur wider adoption, the chiefs of the two car makers took the wraps off Nissan’s Sakura and Mitsubishi’s eK X on Friday. The two small, boxy EVs are set to go on sale in Japan this year at a starting price of $20,000.
As Japan’s government pushes for the country to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the kei-car segment has been highlighted as especially difficult to electrify. Industry officials have warned adding batteries to kei cars could push their prices out of traditional buyers’ reach.The cost of buying kei EVs should eventually fall to less than 1.5 million yen , according to Miyao. Nissan and Mitsubishi’s joint models get pretty close. After subsidies, both cars start around 1.8 million yen .
, giving them “enough cruising range to meet daily needs”, Nissan chief executive Makoto Uchida said at an event in Okayama. “I hope many customers will be able to experience the benefits electric vehicles can offer.”