Suzuki Shows Electric Minivehicle with 310-km Range

Tokyo, Aug. 24 (Jiji Press)--Suzuki Motor Corp. unveiled online Monday a prototype of its first electric vehicle with a reference range of 310 kilometers, among the longest for electric minivehicles.

The e Sky is expected to go on sale within the current fiscal year ending next March.

Suzuki has yet to set a price for the model but aims to make it affordable enough to encourage a shift among gasoline car owners.

The automaker drew on decades of its experience developing minivehicles, making the most of the segment's hallmark maneuverability. It achieved the e Sky's long range by achieving weight reduction and high energy efficiency.

"We were mindful of making the vehicle easy to drive even for gasoline car users," a Suzuki development official said, adding that the company was able to strike a balance between cost and performance.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]