Japan finally has an answer to China’s cheap electric cars—and it comes in the form of a tiny electric work van.
The Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo takes a very different approach to affordable EVs. Instead of chasing massive batteries, extreme range, and expensive technology, Daihatsu designed the vehicle around what delivery drivers and small businesses actually need: enough daily range, usable cargo space, low running costs, and simple overnight charging.
In this documentary, we explore how Daihatsu used a smaller 36.6-kWh LFP battery, shared development with Toyota and Suzuki, and an existing Japanese factory to keep the electric Hijet practical. We also examine its vehicle-to-home capabilities, commercial use cases, limitations, and why its modest range may actually be one of its biggest advantages.
China’s BYD is now entering Japan’s kei-car market too, putting even more pressure on Japanese automakers. But instead of trying to beat China at its own game, Daihatsu may have found another path: build smaller EVs around exactly what customers need—and stop making them pay for everything they don’t.
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Video “Japan Finally Has an Answer to China’s Cheap EVs” was uploaded on 09/13/2026 to Youtube Channel Beyond Discovery