Suzuki beats BYD with $13,500 mini EV that uses BYD batteries

The e SKY, Suzuki’s first electric kei car, is expected to overtake BYD’s Racco as Japan’s cheapest electric mini vehicle, starting at about $13,500.

Suzuki launches its first mini EV with BYD batteries

Suzuki is entering Japan’s competitive electric mini car segment with the launch of the e SKY on November 16.

The e SKY will start at about 2.12 million yen, or about $13,500, according to Nikkeimaking it the lowest priced electric vehicle in its class.

BYD currently holds the title with the Racco EV priced at 2.145 million yen ($13,600). Suzuki said the e SKY offers a WLTC driving range of up to 310 km (192 miles) and “class-leading” AC power consumption of 97 Wh/km.

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Suzuki developed a dedicated kei EV platform and electric propulsion system for the e SKY to optimize efficiency.

Interestingly, Suzuki’s mini EV uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries supplied by BYD’s battery unit to reduce costs.

Government subsidies have yet to be announced, but if it qualifies for the same 568,000 yen subsidy as its commercial kei EV, the e-Every, the e SKY would cost about the same as the Spacia.

The Spacia is Suzuki’s most popular gasoline kei car. It starts at 1.53 million yen, or just under $10,000 in Japan.

BYD’s cheapest Racco 200 model uses a 22.4 kWh LFP battery, which provides a WLTC driving range of 210 km (130 miles).

Higher-priced versions, including the Racco 300 Plus and Premium models, use a larger 35.84 kWh battery with a range of up to 320 km (199 miles). BYD said it was the first kei EV to offer a range of more than 300 km.

BYD’s Racco and Suzuki e SKY will be more affordable and offer greater range than the Nissan Sakura, which starts at ¥2,448,600 ($15,000).

BYD aims to sell 10,000 Racco models by the end of 2026. In its first two weeks on the market, BYD’s mini EV garnered 1,000 orders. On Monday, BYD Japan also celebrated reaching 10,000 domestic cumulative registrations.