THE kei cars Japanese, hitherto viewed with amused interest, are no longer as exotic as they seem. As president of the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers, Luca de Meo, also general director of Renault, has just proposed the creation in Europe of a category of electric vehicles inspired by small Nissan, Suzuki or Daihatsu models, specially designed for the cities of the Japanese archipelago. A new family of cars which would fit between quadricycles (cars without a license, such as the Citroën AMI or the Microlino) and small classic cars, such as the Twingo or Fiat 500.
In Japan, the kei cars (literally “light cars”) blended into the landscape. They represent nearly 40% of the national market and are very successful with female customers. These vehicles offer five seats with a limited footprint (their length is limited to 3.40 meters), weigh less than 900 kilos and their price is affordable (from around 12,000 euros), thanks to numerous tax advantages and regulatory. Their parallelepiped shapes and their very vertical architecture are the result of these specifications defined to evolve within very dense Japanese cities.
Like their Japanese equivalents, European mini-vehicles would be subject to constraints in terms of size and engine. According to Luca de Meo, these vehicles could be sold for around 10,000 to 15,000 euros and would help to democratize electric automobiles for good, in particular for urban and peri-urban residents who have no other option than to travel to work by car.
If this path were to be followed, it would be a small revolution. Attempts to import models close to kei cars in Europe – like Suzuki’s Wagon R or the Daihatsu Trevis – have only enjoyed success with respect, particularly due to their engine, which is hardly compatible with the way motorists in the Old Continent drive. In the electric version, this objection would be lifted, but others would emerge.
Very original style
The very small Japanese models, in fact, are not able to meet the strict European standards for approval of a particular vehicle, especially in terms of passive safety. Certainly, the regulations imposed on cars without a license are not particularly demanding, but it is difficult to see the authorities authorizing the circulation of five-seater cars designed with minimalist anti-collision standards.
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