Suzuki reveals 310km e Sky electric kei car, confirms UK but not NZ

Suzuki has revealed the production e Sky, an electric kei car claiming 310km of range from a 26kWh battery, and confirmed it for the UK. New Zealand is not yet on the list, though Suzuki NZ tells us it is in ongoing discussions with Japan about future models suitable for this market.

Kei-class EVs such as Nissan’s Sakura have not been sold new outside Japan. The e Sky will be, with UK and European sales due in 2027 at a reported price below £20,000, and right-hand drive production for export from launch.

Big number, tiny battery

The e Sky targets 310km of range from a 26kWh of lithium iron phosphate battery, a product of 1,030kg kerb weight, aerodynamic work and a new front e-Axle combining motor, inverter and gearing on Suzuki’s Heartect e platform. Output is unconfirmed but kei regulations cap power at 47kW.

DC charging at up to 50kW takes the battery to 80% in around 25 minutes, a 6kW wallbox fills it in 4.5 hours, and vehicle-to-home capability supplies up to 1,500W. Kei dimensions apply throughout, at 3,395mm long and 1,475mm wide with four seats, and the cabin runs a 10.1-inch touchscreen, heated seats and steering wheel, and a heat pump.

In Japan, where it goes on sale this autumn, the e Sky meets the Nissan Sakura, Mitsubishi eK X EV, Honda N-One e and BYD’s new Racco. In the UK it will fight the Renault Twingo and the Honda Super-One that has already reached New Zealand, though where Honda widened and empowered its kei car for export, reports suggest the Suzuki will stay largely as Japan gets it.

The New Zealand question

Suzuki NZ stopped short of confirming the e Sky when approached, but left the door open. “We are always looking for opportunities to introduce new, fun and affordable models that suit our market,” the company said in a statement. “While we do not have any announcements to make at this stage, we are in ongoing discussions with Suzuki Motor Corporation about future product opportunities, including models that may be suitable for New Zealand.”

If it came, the e Sky would become the brand’s second EV here, joining the e Vitara, which went on sale this year and scored 7.5 in our review.

New Zealand’s affordable EV segment is dominated by Chinese brands, from the $32,990 Geely EX2 down, with Honda’s kei-derived Super-One the current Japanese exception. The UK programme means the e Sky will be built in right-hand drive regardless of any New Zealand decision.