Suzuki undercuts BYD with a $13,500 mini EV powered by BYD batteries

This is car news from Japan and doesn't have much to do with home energy upgrades, but here's the gist. Suzuki is launching a new electric "kei car" (Japan's small, boxy minicar class) called the e SKY, set to go on sale November 16 at around 2.12 million yen, or about $13,500. That undercuts the current cheapest mini EV on the market, BYD's Racco, which starts at 2.145 million yen (about $13,600). Notably, Suzuki's cheaper EV runs on lithium iron phosphate batteries supplied by BYD's own battery division, a cost-cutting move that lets a Japanese automaker beat a Chinese one on price using Chinese battery tech.

The e SKY is rated for up to 310 km (192 miles) of range and claims a best-in-class energy efficiency rating. Government subsidies for the car haven't been announced yet, but if it qualifies for the same incentive Suzuki's commercial electric kei van gets, the e SKY would end up priced close to Suzuki's popular gas-powered Spacia hatchback. For comparison, BYD's Racco starts at a shorter 210 km of range on its base model, with pricier versions offering up to 320 km, and Nissan's competing Sakura mini EV costs more and goes less far than either.

None of this affects home energy rebates or weatherization programs. It's simply a sign that small, affordable electric cars are getting cheaper and more competitive in markets like Japan, which may eventually shape what budget EVs look like elsewhere.