Suzuki unveils e Sky, its first electric kei car

Suzuki has revealed its first electric kei passenger car, the e Sky, according to reports from 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow. The vehicle will be sold in Japan and the UK, with possible availability in Europe and India. The e Sky is expected to be unveiled in full later this quarter and will go on sale in Japan before the end of the current financial year in March 2027.

According to Motor1, as cited by both 7NEWS and PerthNow, the production car measures 3395mm in length, 1475mm in width, 1625mm in height, and rides on a 2460mm wheelbase. Its dimensions and power output are constrained to comply with Japan's kei car regulations, which provide tax and registration benefits to buyers.

The e Sky is powered by an electric motor driving the front wheels, expected to produce the class-standard 47kW, with DC fast charging capability up to 50kW. It weighs 1030kg and is equipped with a 26kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. While final range figures are yet to be announced, the company is targeting a range of 310km, presumably under the WLTC standard, as reported by both outlets.

In Japan, the e Sky will compete with the Nissan Sakura/Mitsubishi eK X, the Honda N-One e:, and the BYD Racco. According to the reports, the Sakura/eK X has the smallest battery at 20kWh, offering a WLTC range of 180km; the N-One e: has a 29.6kWh battery with a claimed range of 295km; and the BYD Racco tops the segment with a 35.8kWh battery and a 320km WLTC range.

Inside, the e Sky features a digital instrumentation display and a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. A traditional gear lever protrudes from the dashboard, and a strip of capacitive controls manages the air conditioning system.

Market expansion and competition

In July, Suzuki UK's boss told Autocar that the e Sky will be launched in the UK during the second quarter of 2027 as part of the company's efforts to meet the country's EV mandate, which requires 80% of all new cars sold in the UK to be electric by 2030 and 100% by 2035, according to 7NEWS and PerthNow.

The e Sky could also serve as the basis for a new entry-level EV to be built by Maruti Suzuki in India starting in 2028. In the UK, it will be pitched against the Renault Twingo and the Honda Super-One, also known as the Super-N, both priced from around £19,000 (A$36,000), as reported by PerthNow.

It's not known if Suzuki's Australian distributors plan to bring the e Sky to Australia, but if it does arrive, it would be the brand's second EV after the e Vitara, according to PerthNow.

The Japan Times reported that Suzuki unveiled a prototype of the e Sky online on Monday, with a reference range of 310 kilometers, described as among the longest for electric minivehicles. The vehicle is expected to go on sale within the current fiscal year ending next March. Suzuki has not yet set a price but aims to make the car affordable enough to encourage gasoline car owners to switch.

According to The Japan Times, Suzuki drew on decades of experience developing minivehicles, focusing on weight reduction and high energy efficiency to achieve the long range. A Suzuki development official said, "We were mindful of making the vehicle easy to drive even for gasoline car users," and added that the company achieved a balance between cost and performance. The vehicle's navigation system recommends routes based on remaining driving range and traffic conditions, addressing concerns about running out of charge.

The Japan Times also noted that competition in Japan's electric minivehicle market is intensifying. China's BYD launched its Racco electric minivehicle in July, while EMT, based in Yokohama, plans to enter the market in 2027. EMT was founded in 2025 by five Japanese and Chinese firms, including Japanese car accessory supplier Autobacs Seven and China's Chery Automobile. Suzuki welcomed the growing competition, with a company official saying, "It is good for consumers to have more choices," and adding, "We want to make a strong appeal as a company specializing in minivehicles."