Mass-Produced BEVs Development
My Desire to “Leave Clean Skies for the Next Generation Through Environmentally Friendly Vehicles”
After joining the company, my first project was material development for fuel cells. I conducted repeated evaluations and studies to identify materials that could be used safely and reliably over the long term in systems installed in mini vehicles. Although I was working in the small field of materials rather than the vehicle as a whole, this experience in environmental technology development connects to my current work on BEVs.
One reason I chose Daihatsu was my desire to “leave clean skies for the next generation through environmentally friendly vehicles.” My family home was located along a busy road, so air pollution was a concern from the time I was a child. Back then, I was not thinking so much about CO2. I was more aware of whether we could do something to reduce exhaust gases and airborne particulates, even a little. If electric vehicles become more widely available, perhaps we can aim for even higher environmental performance. That feeling is still a major starting point for me as I work on this BEV development project.
I later moved to a department involved in electric vehicle development, where I worked on benchmarking other companies’ vehicles and studying the layout of battery packs and drive units. I joined the commercial mini BEV development project from the product planning side, and was responsible for managing vehicle weight and studying specifications and equipment. Ease of use for customers and ease of production at the plant. The main purpose I fulfilled in my latest role was to refine the specifications while balancing both of these factors.
What Not to Change in the Switch to BEVs
What mattered most to us in developing the commercial mini BEV was preserving, as much as possible, the ease of use we had built up in our gasoline vehicles. With commercial mini vehicles, how much cargo they can carry really matters. So we made it a key policy not to lose cargo space, even as our vehicles became electrified.
At the same time, a BEV has to carry a large battery pack and drive unit. If we changed the brake size or tire size just because the vehicle became heavier, it would affect how easy it is to make tight turns. We had to stay within mini vehicle standards while preserving cargo space, maintaining ground clearance, and keeping the tire size unchanged. The team members involved found that fitting all the necessary components within those constraints was extremely difficult.
When it comes to driving performance, we deliberately avoided making it feel too much like an electric vehicle. At many workplaces, drivers may switch between gasoline and BEV vehicles. If the acceleration and deceleration feels different, it could take time to get used to going back and forth, causing an unnecessary burden. We wanted the vehicle’s behavior to feel familiar, so drivers could switch between a gasoline vehicle and a BEV without discomfort. To me, that’s what makes Daihatsu so unique—building a vehicle that truly supports people in their work.
Designing Around Real-World Use
In development, we also made a point of seeing how customers actually use their vehicles. We did not want to rely solely on assumptions made in the office. Instead, we worked to bring the vehicle as close as possible to how it would be used in practice, including by following delivery vehicles to observe how they accelerated, decelerated, and operated in real-world conditions. I believe those efforts helped us create a driving experience that feels natural and intuitive.
Making fast charging a standard feature also stemmed from careful consideration of how people actually use commercial vehicles. The basic assumption is that most users will charge overnight, but there are times when deliveries get delayed in traffic or vehicles need to stay on the road for extended periods during busy seasons. In situations like that, even a brief charging session can make a real difference. While this feature may not be necessary for customers using vehicles only for shortdistance applications, we felt it was important to provide that extra peace of mind when it’s needed.
The 100 V outlet was another feature we developed by thinking about the real challenges our customers face. For example, depending on how heavily air-conditioned clothing or power tools are used at a morning job site, there may not be enough battery remaining for the afternoon. In those situations, being able to recharge such devices while driving can be extremely helpful. We positioned the outlet within easy reach so users could notice it and plug in their devices before setting off.
A BEV is not just a means of transportation. It can also serve as a mobile power source. By making electricity available both inside and outside the vehicle, it can support work sites, evacuation centers during disasters, and homes or facilities affected by power outages. Supporting the daily work of people while also providing help when it’s needed most. That was the kind of vehicle we set out to create.
It Takes a Team to Build a Car
Turning a vehicle into a BEV changes the parts and systems it requires. In a gasoline vehicle, waste heat from the engine can be used for heating, but a BEV requires a separate heating system. There were also areas where systems used in conventional vehicles could not be simply carried over, requiring major control changes, new components, and extensive work to ensure quality. To make that happen, we relied not only on the design team, but also on colleagues in purchasing and quality assurance, as well as our suppliers.
Even after prototype vehicles are built, new challenges emerge. Because a BEV is heavier than its gasoline counterpart, the loads placed on many components increase as well. We had to consider how to ensure customers could use the vehicle with complete confidence. Members from design, evaluation, production engineering, plants, and many other functions all contributed their perspectives.
Performance alone is not enough. The vehicle also has to be something that can be built consistently, serviced efficiently, and delivered while maintaining quality targets. Finding the best solution within a limited space while satisfying all of those requirements is never easy. Whenever a challenge arose, people stepped up to help. Everyone spoke openly and shared their ideas without hesitation to come up with solutions. Through that experience, I came to appreciate that no single department can build a vehicle on its own. In addition to our in-house teams in design, evaluation, production engineering, plants, and purchasing, we received tremendous support from Toyota and Suzuki Motor Corporation, who jointly developed the EV system with us, as well as from our suppliers. I truly feel this is a vehicle that would not have been possible without the efforts of so many people working together.
Continuing to Rethink Usability from the Customer’s Perspective
We hope this vehicle will find a place not only in delivery operations, but also with construction companies, local governments, and sole proprietors. For early morning and nighttime deliveries, the quietness of a BEV helps reduce disturbance to surrounding communities. At construction sites, it can also be used to charge power tools and airconditioned workwear. Local governments can use it as an official vehicle during normal operations and as a power source during emergencies.
In this way, every customer uses their vehicle differently. That is why I believe development should focus not only on what a BEV can do, but also on how customers will actually use it in their daily work and lives. I learned that by observing how vehicles are actually used and carefully considering each function and driving characteristic, we can arrive at solutions that genuinely meet customers’ needs. Going forward, we hope to learn from our customers’ experiences and use that feedback to make the vehicle even better.
Throughout this project, there were many times when I was guided and supported by my supervisors and colleagues. Going forward, I hope to become someone who can lead others in the same way and apply the experience I gained here not only to commercial vehicles, but also to developing vehicles that serve an even wider range of customers. I hope to continue taking on the challenge of building vehicles that support people in their everyday lives and work.