Suzuki Introduces Its First Electric Car, Well Almost

With the Suzuki eVX Concept, the Japanese brand is finally embracing the shift to electric, which will still take another two years to reach the roads.

We thought all car manufacturers had started their transition to electric vehicles. At least, excluding supercar brands like Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini which will wait a few more years. But a stubborn one from Japan had not yet fallen for the allure of electrons: Suzuki.

Looking at its current lineup, it consists of hybrid or combustion engine cars. Furthermore, the company has had to clone some Toyotas to offer a minimal level of electrification: the Swace station wagon, which is a Corolla, and the Across borrowed from the RAV4.

An electric Vitara?

But that will change, as we discover a concept electric car. Presented at the New Delhi Auto Show, in a country where the Japanese manufacturer is a market leader with its subsidiary Maruti-Suzuki. This Suzuki eVX Concept is an equivalent of the Vitara, the brand’s flagship SUV. Measuring 4.30 meters long, it aims to compete with the Hyundai Kona, Peugeot e-2008, or MG ZS EV. 

This electric SUV is expected to cover 550 kilometers per charge with a 60 kWh battery. However, the range is calculated according to the Indian MIDC protocol, which differs from the European WLTP. The origin of the battery remains unknown, but Autocar suggests it could come from BYD, using the Blade technology, found in the new Han and Tang EVs.

Suzuki electric in France from 2025?

Beyond just a concept car to decorate the stand at the Indian show, this electric Suzuki will have a production version. The brand already announces a series version of this eVX, which could support the Vitara.

However, it will still take at least two more years before this concept makes it to series production. Unfortunately, this SUV will not arrive before 2025, but Europe should have access. Indeed, President Toshihiro Suzuki claims that the SUV is “the first global electric car” by the company. Suzuki also announced in 2022 an investment of over a billion euros for a manufacturing plant in the state of Gujarat, including battery production.

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