Toyota shows an electric van the length of a Mini Cooper

The 2023 Tokyo auto present is chock full of latest idea automobiles and manufacturing fashions, however maybe none as novel because the Toyota Kayoibako idea.

The Kayoibako is an electrical van that, at about 157 inches lengthy and on a 110.2-inch wheelbase, is near the size of a Mini Cooper. Fittingly, the phrase Japanese phrase “kayoibako” refers to delivery containers with reconfigurable inserts for various makes use of, and sized for environment friendly use of house.

Toyota Kayoibako idea

Like its namesake, the Toyota Kayoibako was designed with effectivity packaging that can be tailored to a wide range of totally different makes use of, based on Toyota. This contains every thing from last-mile deliveries to shuttle-bus providers, the automaker mentioned in a press launch. The van can be outfitted with show cabinets, permitting it to function a cellular store.

The Kayoibako was additionally designed to be used as a non-public passenger autos, together with simpler wheelchair entry, Toyota claims. And in contrast to the smaller kei vans bought in Japan, it is simply massive sufficient to be viable within the U.S. and Europe. The closest comparability could be the first-generation Scion xB from Toyota’s defunct “youth” model. However the Kayoibako has extra inside house, and the added utility of sliding doorways.

Toyota Kayoibako idea

This van wasn’t the one small automobile Toyota unveiled on the Tokyo present. It additionally revealed the EPU, an electric truck that is compact or midsize by U.S. requirements. Rival Nissan, in the meantime, confirmed its Hyper Tourer idea, which reimagines the minivan round solid-state batteries. And the Mitsubishi D:X idea hints at a future plug-in hybrid model of the automaker’s Japanese-market Delica minivan.

The Kayoibako would not have a lot competitors within the U.S. Startup Canoo has a similar idea for a multipurpose electrical van, however its design is far bigger. One other startup, Telo Vehicles, has a van variant of its efficiency-focused electric pickup in thoughts. Telo sees the U.S. as a market with an untapped demand for such a mannequin.