Suzuki, Daihatsu, Toyota and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) have announced that they will work together to produce mini-commercial electric vehicles (EVs). These zero-emissions mini vans are expected in the 2023 financial year and will help the brands work towards carbon neutrality.
Mini-commercial vehicles are vital with the growing number of deliveries taking place across the globe. Many cover areas that are accessible only to them because of their small size and zero emissions. These are becoming especially important in supporting last-mile logistics. They have become widespread and account for about 60 percent of many commercial vehicle fleets.
The collaboration understands a major issue in promoting the electrification of mini-commercial vehicles is the cost involved. This includes the higher vehicle costs associated with electrification, the costs related to charging infrastructure and the charging downtime when vehicles and cargo aren’t on the road.
Together the group plans to produce affordable mini-commercial electric vehicles that meet the usage needs of commercial customers. CJPT will participate in the planning, while Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota will jointly develop a battery electric vehicle (BEV) system suitable for mini-commercial vehicles. This will combine Suzuki and Daihatsu’s know-how in manufacturing mini vehicles with Toyota’s electrification technology.
The mini-commercial electric van developed by these four companies will be used by partners in social implementation projects in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo. Suzuki, Daihatsu, Toyota and CJPT will continue to promote efforts to practically achieve carbon neutrality through the provision of sustainable means of transportation.
