Suzuki, Daihatsu, Toyota and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) announced an electric car partnership in the commercial mini-van field that will start running in 2023.
According to a Toyota Global press release, the collaboration targets commercial mini vans because this type of car is considered very suitable to be operated in urban areas and is able to venture into narrow locations.
The use of commercial mini-vans is also driving the logistics industry and is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving carbon neutrality in the future.
One of the obstacles in using commercial mini-vans is the increasing price of electrified cars, costs related to charging infrastructure, and charging time.
For this reason, the Japanese manufacturers who are members of the mini commercial van cooperation hope that their products will be able to provide logistics fleet solutions for the community.
The cooperation scheme includes the development of a battery electric vehicle system by Suzuki, Daihatsu and Toyota. Suzuki and Daihatsu will provide the mini-vehicle platform, while Toyota will provide the electric technology. Meanwhile, CJPT will make a business plan.
The mini van will later be used in various projects in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo.
