Old People of Japan, here is An Small Car. Oh sure, you don’t have to be an elderly person to enjoy the fruits of Toyota’s latest output, but it’ll certainly help. Chiefly because this ‘Ultra-compact Battery Electric Vehicle’ is specifically designed to support that demographic.

The BEV is but a two-seater, with a tiny footprint, a tiny top speed of 60km/h, a tight turning circle and a tiny range of 100km on one charge specifically designed to cater for “Japan’s ageing society”. It is, basically, a small electric pod.

“We are proud to offer customers a vehicle that not only allows for greater autonomy, but also takes up less space, creates less noise and limits environmental impact,” says Toyota.

New drivers and businesses will likely find solace in the small, cosseting, electric arms of the BEV, too. Indeed, Toyota’s plan is for this BEV to spearhead a plan that’ll look at every aspect of a battery’s life – resale, recycling, encouraging local businesses, using it for urban and mountain communities and so on.

This particular BEV will launch like this in Japan late next year, followed by a trio of ‘Walking Area BEV’ cars – one standing, one seated, and one for wheelchairs – in 2021.

Probably worth keeping an eye on this whole ‘electric’ thing. Looks like it might catch on.

STORY Vijay Pattni