Electric Jimny among five Suzuki EVs confirmed for Europe

The 4x4 is one of five new electric cars Suzuki will launch in Europe by 2030

By Jonathan Bryce, Autocar UK calendar 28 Jan 2023 Views icon4758 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp

The Suzuki Jimny will receive an electric variant in the coming years as one of five new EVs the Japanese manufacturer will launch in Europe by 2030.

As part of an ambitious growth strategy detailed by Suzuki on January 26, which includes a £3 billion investment in battery development, the firm will introduce five new electric cars from 2024 onwards and has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2050. 

The first Suzuki EV to arrive on the market will be a production version of the recently revealed eVX concept, a Suzuki S-Cross-sized crossover boasting a 342-mile / 550km range. 

However, the electric Jimny is unlikely to share the eVX’s underpinnings given its much smaller footprint – and it could even use an adapted version of the combustion car’s platform in a bid to maintain its affordable billing.

The current car is only available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 99bhp and 95lb ft, so electric power will bring a marked improvement in both power and torque. 

The Jimny (top right) is one of five new cars, one of which could be a ‘kei’ car.

No details of the electric Jimny have been confirmed, but an official preview image released by Suzuki suggests its distinctive two-box silhouette, slatted grille and squat proportions will be carried over – although new star-shaped headlights hint at a subtle redesign. 

From 2024, the Japanese firm will also expand its range to electric SUVs and B-segment models. Two larger electric SUVs are also on the cards, which could be set to compete with the popular Vauxhall Mokka Electric and Kia Niro EV.

As it invests 2.5 trillion yen (£15 billion) in the construction of a battery plant and various other sustainable developments, Suzuki forecasts 80% of the cars it sells in Europe will be battery-electric, with the remaining 20% taken by hybrids. 

Suzuki is not immediately set to become an electric-only firm and will continue to work towards developing a carbon-neutral combustion engine for sale in other global markets. 

Suzuki cars sold in fast-developing, core regions such as India will eventually be powered by biogas and ethanol-mixed fuels as the firm works towards achieving carbon neutrality for 2070. In other core areas like Japan, the firm will continue to develop hybrid powertrains, but it will focus outright on EV power in Europe, where it plans to be carbon neutral by 2050.

ALSO READ:
Suzuki Motor Corp to launch six EVs in India by 2030

Maruti Suzuki reveals 5-door Jimny SUV, Fronx SUV-coupe at Auto Expo 2023

RELATED ARTICLES
Toyota reveals Urban Cruiser EV

auther Autocar Pro News Desk calendar12 Dec 2024

Toyota Motor Corp has taken the covers off the production-spec Urban Cruiser EV, which will make its public debut at the...

Stellantis and CATL partner for 4.1 billion euro LFP battery plant in Spain

auther Autocar Pro News Desk calendar12 Dec 2024

Joint venture to build an all-new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant at Stellantis’ Zaragoza, Spain site. Produc...

ZF LIFETEC rolls out electromechanical seatbelt locking

auther Autocar Pro News Desk calendar12 Dec 2024

Semi-autonomous driving increases the demand for safety solutions in comfort positions. New e.Locking, which is the elec...