In addition to its home market Japan, Suzuki e-Sky will also explore opportunities in markets like Europe and UK
Suzuki is relatively late to the pure EV segment, as it has been focusing more on hybrids and other powertrains in many markets. This is set to change, as Suzuki is energizing its pure EV strategy. As part of that broader push, Suzuki has launched its first electric passenger kei car, the ‘e Sky’ in Japan. Suzuki e-Sky will challenge rivals like BYD Racco, Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric and Dacia Spring.
Suzuki e-Sky electric car – Performance, range
Equipped with a 26 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, Suzuki e-Sky offers a range of 310 km (WLTC). The battery pack is sourced from a BYD-affiliated manufacturer. Use of an LFP battery pack has contributed to achieving a competitive price point.
For e-Sky, Suzuki has developed a dedicated kei EV platform called ‘HEARTECT-e’. This platform comprises an electric motor, an inverter, a reduction gear and the battery pack. With this new EV platform, Suzuki claims a class-leading energy efficiency of 97Wh/km.
Cheaper than BYD Racco
Suzuki e-Sky can emerge as a preferred choice in the entry-level kei passenger electric vehicle segment. One of the primary rivals in the Japanese market is BYD Racco. e-Sky is available in two trims, A and X, priced at JPY 2.12 million and JPY 2.79 million, respectively (Rs 12.99 lakh and Rs 17.09 lakh).
However, with a CEV subsidy of JPY 568,000 (Rs 3.48 lakh), the price of the base model is at JPY 1.55 million (Rs 9.50 lakh). Rival BYD Racco was launched in Japan this July and its base variant is available at JPY 2.14 million (Rs 13.11 lakh). The base variant has a range of 210 km. Racco also has higher-spec models, priced between JPY 2.39 million and JPY 2.49 million (Rs 14.64 lakh to Rs 15.25 lakh). These variants have a range of 320 km.
Sales begin in November
Suzuki e-Sky will be available in showrooms in Japan by November 16. Launch in overseas markets such as the UK and Europe is expected in 2027. For the Japanese market, Suzuki has plans to sell around 1,000 units per month. There is currently no information about India launch plans, although a tweaked version of the e-Sky could be introduced here.
The Indian version is expected to be based on the eWX concept, which has already been patented here. For the Indian market, this entry-level EV could be positioned as a sub-4m EV, with prices starting under Rs 10 lakh. While e-Sky has to follow strict dimensional guidelines to qualify for kei car linked incentives in Japan, the Indian version is expected to be larger in size.
For context, the e-Sky is 3,395 mm long and 1,475 mm wide. A larger battery pack is also likely for the Indian version, around 30-35 kWh. When launched, Maruti Suzuki’s entry-level EV will take on rivals like Tata Tiago EV and MG Comet EV. Maruti is also working on other electric cars including an electric MPV (codenamed YMC) and Fronx EV.
