This $15,000 Nissan Kei Automobile Is Japan’s Greatest-Promoting EV

• The Nissan Sakura is an all-electric Kei automobile.
• It is simply 11 toes lengthy and weighs below 2,400 lbs, with a beginning worth of round $15,000.
• The Sakura has develop into Japan’s best-selling EV, however Nissan is not promoting it anyplace else… but.

There is a purpose People appear more and more fascinated with Japanese Kei automobiles: It is superb to see small vehicles successful. The previous 20 years have seen People utterly scorn something small, low-cost and easy, transferring in the direction of ever-bigger, ever-more “premium” choices. That is why our three best-selling EVs are all made by Tesla, a premium model that claims to be an AI firm first. Certainly one of them begins at $80,000. In Japan, issues are totally different. The most effective-selling EV is a $15,000 metropolis automobile from Nissan.

The Nissan Sakura is a “Kei” automobile, a Japanese designation for automobiles that meet strict dimension, energy and engine displacement guidelines. Meaning its energy is capped—like all Kei automobiles—at 63 hp, and size is capped at 11 toes, 2 inches. So the Sakura is about 11 toes lengthy, 4.8 toes large and 5.4 toes tall. 

It weighs slightly below 2,400 lbs, with a 20.0-kWh battery that enables it to go 111 miles on a cost. Observe that is a WLTP determine, which tends to be much more beneficiant than the EPA cycle used within the U.S. It could possibly cost from 10-80% in about 20 minutes, although, so you’ll be able to replenish vary shortly. There’s even vehicle-to-load performance for powering exterior electronics. 

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The Sakura can also be tremendous nimble and tremendous low-cost. Its turning circle is simply 15 toes, and costs begin round $15,000 at present trade charges, with well-optioned examples near $20,000. You will get it in 15 totally different shade schemes, with two-tone choices that add some spunk. It appears to be like cheerful and enjoyable, and Japanese consumers do not appear to look down on small vehicles the best way People do. 

That is made the Sakura a successful proposition. Our reviewer favored it when he drove it again in 2023, and a new video from AutoTrader U.Okay. appears to agree. Host Rory Reid—previously of Prime Gear fame—calls it “pleasant.” No marvel Nissan bought 37,140 of them in Japan final yr, per Wards Auto, accounting for practically half of all EV gross sales within the nation. The corporate needed to cease taking orders at one level as a result of demand was so robust.  

Reid argues that the Sakura might win some hearts and minds within the U.Okay. or Europe, however that dialog is solely theoretical. Nissan solely sells the Sakura in Japan, and has no plans to develop it for now. It is no shock that it will not come to the U.S. Tiny, 63-hp Kei vehicles will not be nice for America’s highway-heavy infrastructure, and vehicles with below 100 miles of EPA vary have sometimes faired poorly right here. Plus, even the town vehicles higher suited to American highways—together with the Honda Match, Mitsubishi Mirage and Ford Fiesta—have all been killed off right here.

We do not deserve the Sakura. However Europe does. Reid is correct that there is a actual alternative for Nissan to win over some consumers there. It is unlikely to be the kind of smashing success it’s in Japan, however Europe has a notable urge for food for metropolis vehicles, and Nissan has a notable dearth of thrilling merchandise. It is lastly obtained a winner in its hand, now it simply must double down.

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