ENECHANGE Ltd. along with the EV-focused media platform EVsmart hosted the “Japan EV of the Year 2023” event, with the top selected EV models all falling in the “affordable” range. The top three models, priced between 3 to 4 million JPY (roughly 20,000-27,000 USD), offer a balance of affordability and high performance as EVs, indicating the importance of both price and performance for users when selecting a vehicle.

Grand Prix: BYD/BYD DOLPHIN – 241 Points

General Voting: 97 Points / Evangelist Voting: 144 Points

BYD’s second electric vehicle introduced to the Japanese market. The standard model with a battery capacity of 44.9 kWh is priced at 3.63 million JPY, while the Long Range model with a larger battery capacity of 58.56 kWh, higher output, and torque is priced at 4.07 million JPY. It is well-equipped with advanced driving assistance features, earning high praise for its cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it has been praised for its thoughtful localization tailored to the Japanese market, such as lowering the vehicle height from 1570mm to 1550mm for easier parking in Japanese multi-story parking lots.

Outstanding Award: Hyundai/KONA – 151 Points

General Voting: 62 Points / Evangelist Voting: 89 Points

Hyundai’s second electric vehicle for the Japanese market, offering a compact SUV with a well-designed interior space. The entry-level “Casual” model with a battery capacity of 48.6 kWh is priced at 3.993 million JPY, while the premium “Lounge” grade with a battery capacity of 64.8 kWh and enhanced equipment is priced at 4.895 million JPY, making it accessible to general EV users in Japan. The KONA EV, in its second generation, has received high praise from journalists and others for its evolution both as a car and as an EV, particularly for its driving performance and comfort.

Outstanding Award: BYD/BYD ATTO 3 – 145 Points

General Voting: 96 Points / Evangelist Voting: 49 Points

This is BYD’s first entry into the Japanese market with a compact SUV-type electric vehicle. Equipped with a battery capacity of 58.56 kWh, advanced driving assistance features and electric power seats, it is priced at 4.4 million JPY. By increasing the government’s CEV（Clean Energy Vehicle） subsidy from an initial 650,000 JPY to 850,000 JPY after obtaining type certification, BYD demonstrated its serious commitment to the Japanese market. Its impressive equipment and cost-effectiveness garnered significant support.

 

263 Participants in General Voting

From December 4, 2023, to January 31, 2024, a total of 263 individuals participated in online voting, casting a total of 512 points in general voting (with each person allowed to select up to three models). Additionally, 27 representatives from media outlets disseminating EV information and key figures from EV-related companies participated as evangelists, casting a total of 540 points.

 

About Japan EV of the Year

Japan EV of the Year is a project aimed at selecting attractive electric vehicles that society demands, with the goal of realizing a sustainable society through the proliferation of EV charging ports. It is jointly organized by ENECHANGE, which aims to promote the spread of EVs, and EVsmart, a media platform which has been disseminating electric vehicle information since its inception. The voting is conducted by evangelists who disseminate information about electric vehicles mainly through web media, as well as by members of the general public. The concept is to “choose and support electric vehicles together.” At the inaugural event in 2022, the Nissan Sakura, which won the Japan Car of the Year as a kei car, was awarded the Grand Prix, contributing to an increase in EV market share in Japan.

Japan EV of the Year official website: https://japan-ev-of-the-year.enechange.jp/

 

ENECHANGE Ltd.

ENECHANGE is an energy technology company that promotes a carbon-free society through digital technology with the mission of Changing Energy For A Better World. We offer services based on data utilization in the 4Ds of Energy: Deregulation, Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Decentralization. Our company’s roots come from an energy data lab at the University of Cambridge, UK, a country where liberalization is mature. ENECHANGE has a UK subsidiary, ENECHANGE Innovation Limited, as well as a global network and analytical technology for energy data.    

URL: https://enechange.co.jp/en/      

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