Thus far electrical vehicles (EV) seem to have been the mainstay of the luxury brands which appeared to be the only ones that have the resources to pour into the development of the technology and translating the money spent into commercial production. This, without fail, meant a hefty price tag for the consumer.

Suzuki might be changing this as soon as 2025.

Suzuki took centre stage on the first day of India’s premier auto show – Auto Expo 2023 – with the unveiling of its first all-electric compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The new Suzuki eVX is a concept SUV, designed to be instantly recognised as a Suzuki SUV but with the addition of the most advanced features currently available in battery electric vehicles (BEV).

The Suzuki eVX will join a line-up of globally popular Suzuki SUVs in 2025 that offers both traditional internal combustion engines and modern hybrid propulsion. This includes the new Suzuki Grand Vitara, which is scheduled for its South African launch in 2023 and which will have the option of a hybrid drivetrain.

Speaking at the launch of the Suzuki eVX, the president of Suzuki, Toshihiro Suzuki, said: “I am delighted to unveil the eVX, our first globally strategic EV. At the Suzuki Group, addressing global warming is a priority. We are promoting a range of global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Suzuki will continue providing valuable products to our customers around the world by optimising these products for the way different people live and drive."

The new Suzuki eVX will be fitted with a 60-kWh battery system and electric motors. It promises an electric-only range of 550 km, as measured in the modified Indian driving cycle (MIDC).

The concept design has an overall length of 4 300 mm, a width of 1 800 mm and height of 1 600 mm. This makes it slightly larger than the current-generation Suzuki Vitara.

Suzuki Auto South Africa said they would closely study its final development and its feasibility for the South African market.

In terms of sales in South Africa, Suzuki has consistently been the third most popular passenger vehicle brand in 2022, beaten only by Toyota and Volkswagen, owing to the affordability and much-desired fuel consumption of its Swift. Consumers whose appetites have been whetted to step into the future with an EV, are hoping the Japanese manufacturer will bring the eVX to market wrapped in the same cloak of affordability.