Indonesia Industry Minister to Mitsubishi - Please build the eK X kei EV here

Mitsubishi Motors is committed to expanding its electrification line-up in the ASEAN region with the Mitsubishi Xpander Hybrid likely being one of the first models planned. However, there might also be plans to introduce a smaller electric vehicle (EV) in the region.

According to our Indonesian colleagues at AutoFun ID, the Industry Minister of Indonesia, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has announced that Mitsubishi is committed to the archipelago and is planning to invest up to IDR 11.25 trillion (~RM 3 billion) into the country by 2025.

Mitsubishi is also targeting 72,000 export units in 2022 which would contribute to a trade balance surplus of IDR 7 trillion (~RM 2 billion) for the Indonesian economy. As such, Agus added that the Three Diamonds should play an active role in accelerating the EV ecosystem in the country.

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Indonesia’s position is considered strategic in terms of the availability of raw materials and the processing of battery components that are needed in EVs. Hence, the country’s Industry Minister suggested the production of light kei EVs which has the potential to attract Indonesian buyers.

Also read: To overtake Thailand, Indonesia makes Tesla a renewable energy offer it cannot refuse

“We also continue to encourage Mitsubishi to be able to produce battery-based electric vehicles (BEVs) in Indonesia which use a small 20 kWh battery and a driving range of 170 km,” as quoted by AutoFun ID.

The electric kei car that Agus referred to is the Mitsubishi eK X EV which is the twin to the Nissan Sakura. According to Mitsubishi, the kei EV carries a battery capacity of 20 kWh and has a claimed range of 180 km on a single charge.

Also read: Can the Nissan Sakura blossom into a successful EV in Japan?

That might not be much but considering the kei EV is more meant for city driving instead of long-distance might make sense. Charging times for the eK X EV also reflect that city driving use with 30 kW DC fast charging takes 40 minutes (from 0%-80%) while standard 200 V AC charging takes around 8 hours.

Complying with Japanese kei vehicle regulations, the electric motor on the eK X EV makes 64 PS but it has a torque of 195 Nm.

Though it looks diminutive, compared to the other Chinese EV offerings like the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV and the Chery EQ1, the Mitsubishi eK X EV can seat four adults proper with spacious luggage space. It's also equipped with ADAS including AEB and lane departure warning (LDW).

Also read: Even Japanese driving schools don’t use Kei cars, is our Perodua Axia even good enough?

So far, Mitsubishi Motors has not confirmed whether the electric kei car will be built in Indonesia but seeing the demand for smaller EVs such as the likes of the tiny tikes from China, perhaps it could hop on to this bandwagon.

Also read: The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is so cheap, because it's made using stuff you can find at home