The Suzuki e SKY goes on sale in Japan on 16 November 2026 at ¥2,120,000, making it the cheapest passenger EV in the country. With the national CEV subsidy of ¥568,000, the entry price drops to about ¥1.55 million. The catch is timing: Japan's ¥110 billion EV subsidy budget is already about 89% used, and applications could close as early as December.
Suzuki e SKY prices in Japan
| Grade | List price (incl. 10% consumption tax) | List price minus ¥568,000 subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| A (built to order) | ¥2,120,000 | ¥1,552,000 |
| G | ¥2,390,000 | ¥1,822,000 |
| X | ¥2,790,000 | ¥2,222,000 |
List prices exclude recycling fees, insurance, taxes other than consumption tax and registration costs. The entry A grade is built to order and has fixed rear door glass. On the G and X, a two-tone roof adds ¥49,500.
What you get for the money
| 1 | Range and efficiency: 310 km on the WLTC cycle and 97 Wh/km, the best AC energy consumption in the kei EV class. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Battery and drive: a 26 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery under the floor of the dedicated HEARTECT-e platform, and a compact oil-cooled eAxle that combines the motor, inverter and reduction gear to drive the front wheels. |
| 3 | City manners: kei car dimensions and a 4.4 m minimum turning radius. |
| 4 | Tech: a 10.1-inch display audio, standard on the X and a ¥200,000 option on the G, plus connected navigation that plans routes around battery level and suggests charging stops. |
| 5 | Safety: Dual Sensor Brake Support II and pedal misapplication acceleration control. |
| 6 | Design: a shoulder line inspired by the Suzulight, Suzuki's first kei car, digital-number style LED lamps front and rear, and 11 colour combinations including the new Immersion Blue Pearl Metallic. |
Why the subsidy clock matters
The ¥568,000 CEV subsidy covers e SKY registrations from 6 October to 31 December 2026, but it ends early if the national budget runs out. Payouts on EVs sold from April to September are set to reach ¥97.4 billion, or 89% of the ¥110 billion budget for this fiscal year, so applications could close as early as December. Demand explains the rush: passenger EV sales in Japan rose 150% year on year to a record 70,273 units in the six months to September.
The e SKY was priced to compete with petrol kei cars even without help, but the subsidy still takes more than a quarter off the entry price. With sales starting on 16 November, buyers who want it have a narrow window.
What buyers in Japan should check
| 1 | Ask your dealer for a realistic registration date in writing. The subsidy period is based on registration, not on the order date. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Check whether your local government offers its own EV subsidy on top of the national one. |
| 3 | Budget for on-road costs, as list prices exclude recycling fees, insurance and registration. |
| 4 | If you are switching from a petrol kei car, compare running costs using today's fuel prices in Japan. |
Bottom line
At ¥2.12 million, or about ¥1.55 million with the subsidy, the e SKY is the most affordable way into a new passenger EV in Japan, with a usable 310 km range. If the subsidy matters to you, move early, because the budget may not last the year. For the car's first details, see our Suzuki e SKY first look, and follow the CarVoltX blog for news from more markets.
