Suzuki Plans Lightweighting for Entry-Level BEVs

Suzuki plans to cut the weight of its entry-level battery-electric vehicles 15% during the next decade to improve range and lower sticker prices.

The automaker’s head of vehicle technology, Tatsuya Matsushita, says the effort will see about 100 kg (220 lbs.) shaved from the 680-kg (1,496-lb.) curb weight of its small urban Alto model, reports Reuters.

He points out that the use of smaller motors and battery packs in a BEV version of the model has the main advantages of improved range, performance and production costs that can be passed on to customers.

At the same time, the automaker says it is working to develop software and advanced driver-assist technologies it hopes will help reduce traffic jams on congested roads in some of its key export markets, such as India.