Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced a significant order from Japan Post for 3,000 units of its Minicab EV, marking a milestone in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Japan’s commercial sector.
The Minicab EV, available in both 2-seat and 4-seat configurations, measures 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width, and 1,915 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,390 mm. Designed as a monobox light commercial vehicle (LCV), it offers a spacious cargo compartment capable of accommodating approximately 1,701 litres of cargo or up to 14 standard-sized boxes.
Powered by Mitsubishi’s YA1 electric motor producing 31 kW of power and 195 Nm of torque, the Minicab EV utilizes a 20 kWh battery pack. Charging times vary, with a full charge achievable in approximately 7.5 hours using a standard charger and an 80% charge in about 42 minutes via quick charging. The vehicle boasts a WLTC range of 180 km on a single charge.
Retail prices for the Minicab EV start at ¥2,431,000 (€13,913) for the 2-seat version and ¥2,486,000 (€14,227) for the 4-seat variant.
Japan Post’s decision to order the Minicab EV fleet follows Mitsubishi’s successful supply of over 5,000 units of the Minicab-MiEV to the postal and logistics provider over the past 11 years. The new order underscores Japan Post’s confidence in Mitsubishi’s electric kei car offerings, built on years of collaboration and experience with the previous model.
Mitsubishi introduced the Minicab EV in November 2023, building on the success of its predecessor, the Minicab-MiEV, which has seen approximately 13,000 units sold domestically since its launch in 2011. The recent bulk order from Japan Post within a year of its launch highlights the growing demand for eco-friendly commercial vehicles in Japan’s transportation sector.
