Minicars have been trending in Japan for a handful of reasons. They’re more affordable and they offer an efficient solution to the limited space of Japan’s urban areas and to the lack of public transport in rural provinces.
Now, Nissan has teamed up with Mitsubishi to launch in 2022 a mini EV, especially made for the Japanese auto market.
What is a mini vehicle?
The so-called “minivehicle” is under 3.4 meters long, 1.4 meters wide, and 1.6 meters high, meaning that it’s well- suited to Japan’s cramped urban traffic.
It’s designed as a four-seater, but, based on its dimensions, we can’t expect too much interior space.
According to Nissan’s press release,
the minivehicles aimed to redefine the popular car category in Japan, featuring instant acceleration, smooth driving, and cabin quietness that are key characteristics of electric vehicles (EVs).
It’s said to have a 20kWh battery capacity, which sounds a bit small compared to current EV standards at 60-100kWh.
But although this battery wouldn’t be sufficient to take a road trip, it gives the car a pretty good range for small daily trips, which corresponds to Nissan’s vision.
Plus, the vehicle can provide electricity from its battery to a home, and can act as a mobile power source in cases of emergency.
It will also come available with a variety of advanced tech features, including driverless valet parking, remote door lock/unlock, and virtual personal assistant.
The minivehicle’s price is expected to start at 2 million yen ($18,201), excluding subsidies.
If you’re curious to see what the mini EV will look like, you can check out the video below, which showcases the car when it was still a concept in 2019.
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