WEB DESK: Suzuki has confirmed that its first battery-electric passenger kei car, the e SKY, will go on sale in Japan on November 16, 2026, with prices starting at 2.12 million yen.
The announcement follows Suzuki’s earlier confirmation that the model would arrive in autumn 2026. The company has now provided a firm launch date, while international reports also suggest the e SKY may use a BYD-supplied LFP battery to help keep costs down.
Three Variants Starting at 2.12 Million Yen
Suzuki will offer the e SKY in three variants in Japan.
| Variant | Price |
|---|---|
| A | 2.12 million yen |
| G | 2.39 million yen |
| X | 2.79 million yen |
The entry-level A variant will be built to order.
Suzuki is targeting combined monthly sales of 1,000 units across the lineup.
The starting price also places the e SKY among the more affordable electric kei cars in Japan. According to CarNewsChina, it is priced below BYD’s own Racco kei EV before subsidies.
26 kWh Battery and 310 KM Range
The production e SKY retains the key figures Suzuki had previously announced.
It uses a 26 kWh lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery and offers a claimed driving range of 310 km under the WLTC testing cycle.
That distinction is important because some reports have referred to the figure as WLTP, while Suzuki’s official Japanese specifications list the 310 km range under WLTC testing.
The car also delivers a claimed electricity consumption figure of 97 Wh/km, which Suzuki says is class-leading among kei EVs.
Its electric powertrain uses a compact oil-cooled eAxle that combines the motor, inverter and reduction gear in a single unit.
Suzuki has also developed a dedicated EV architecture called HEARTECT-e, which allows the battery to be mounted beneath the floor while keeping the vehicle compact and relatively light.
Reports Point to BYD-Supplied Battery Technology
One of the more notable aspects of the latest reports is Suzuki’s apparent battery sourcing strategy.
CarNewsChina reports that the e SKY uses LFP battery technology supplied by BYD.
Suzuki, however, did not identify BYD as the battery supplier in its official October 6 announcement. The company only confirmed that the vehicle uses a thin, flat LFP lithium-ion battery.
If the reports are accurate, Suzuki would be using battery technology associated with BYD while competing directly with the Chinese automaker’s Racco in Japan’s growing electric kei-car segment.
Designed for Everyday Urban Driving
The e SKY measures 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width and 1,625 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,460 mm.
Its minimum turning radius of 4.4 metres underlines its city-focused design.
Suzuki says the vehicle has been developed around an “Easy to Switch” concept, intended to make the move from a conventional petrol kei car to an EV more straightforward.
Equipment includes regenerative braking, Suzuki’s Dual Sensor Brake Support II safety system and, depending on the variant, a 10.1-inch display audio system, connected navigation and a surround-view camera system.
Suzuki Starts Its EV Push With a Kei Car
Rather than entering Japan’s electric vehicle market with a large crossover or premium flagship, Suzuki is beginning with a compact kei car that closely reflects its traditional strengths.
A smaller battery helps reduce both weight and cost, while the vehicle’s dimensions are well suited to the short urban journeys typical of kei-car use in Japan.
The Suzuki e SKY will officially enter the Japanese market on November 16.