Nissan and Mitsubishi have separately launched their jointly-developed all-electric kei car in Japan: the Nissan Sakura and the Mitsubishi eK X EV.
Both of these kei cars feature an optimized EV system layout allowing them both to offer the same spaciousness and comfort of their combustion-engined counterpart while still cramming in the EV motor and battery. Speaking about the battery, it has a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery—about half that of the Nissan Leaf—allowing a maximum cruising range of 180 kilometers. This is then connected to a 47 kW (63 horsepower) electric motor. While the peak power is modest, it does generate a healthy 195 Nm of torque—more than say, a Mitsubishi Mirage or Nissan Almera.
Both the Sakura and the eK X EV are equipped with two charging ports – regular charging (AC200V/14.5A), which takes about 8 hours to reach a full charge, and quick charging, which takes about 40 minutes to complete an 80 percent charge. This allows for extra convenience, with the regular charging port used at home and the quick charging port used during long-distance excursions. It also employs a cooling system using the air conditioner refrigerant in the drive battery to control temperature rises in the battery, a high charge level can be maintained even after repeated high-speed driving and quick charging.
Inside, both models offer a clean, simple-to-use cabin with a 7-inch LCD meter cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It seats four adults, and offers a 107-liter cargo space.
Outside, the Sakura and the eK X EV take on different design approaches. The former exudes Nissan’s new family look complete with the glowing badge and projector-type triple beams. Meanwhile, the eK X EV is meant to convey a sense of SUV-ness. This can be seen with its upright Dynamic Shield design and the corporate look split headlamp design.
Without a doubt though, the best thing about the Nissan Sakura and the Mitsubishi eK X EV is its price. The Sakura starts at just 2.33 million yen (P 953,214). But thanks to a Japanese government subsidy, it goes down to 1.78 million yen (P 727,240). Meanwhile, the eK X EV starts at just 1.848 million yen (P 755,000) inclusive of the government subsidy.
Both the Nissan Sakura and the Mitsubishi eK X EV are set to go on sale by the second half of this year in Japan.
Don’t you wish we had this sort of affordable EVs in the Philippines?
We badly need it
ReplyDelete"eK X EV" aside from designers, mitsubishi needs a new name management team LMAO
ReplyDeleteYeah bring it here! Pnoys will trust it bter than chinese ev
ReplyDeleteI really don't get the point of featuring cars that will never get sold in third world markets like ours. Free press for nothing?
ReplyDeleteFor nothing? Those cars might be on PH market yet price would be a matter.
DeletePhil. Government subsidy is the biggest question, it can be affordable or too expensive depending on our laws... the battery itself might be too expensive to replace in the long run.... making the lifespan of these vehicles way too short
ReplyDeleteSubsidy? Naaa
Delete. . .imagine how much revenue from oil taxes the government looses if these were sold here. Dream on. . .
Gov’t oil tax losses shall be payment for Cleaner Air we’ll breathe.
DeleteThis would be better than any chinese EV.
ReplyDeleteNissan Sakura by 2023 in the Philippines
ReplyDeleteDears no escaping form it...h the future of mobility - hybrid's, ev's, even solar n hydrogen powered transpo. Soon elong musk will be able to go home to his homeplanet mars
ReplyDeleteRA 11697
ReplyDelete