Subaru expands urban electric vehicle market: The future of small electric cars.

Subaru is taking important strategic steps to adapt to the booming electric vehicle market. According to the latest information, the Japanese automaker is considering the possibility of developing a small electric vehicle in the B-segment, directly targeting the urban market.

Currently, Subaru only has one electric vehicle model, the Solterra, but from 2026, the company's electric vehicle lineup will be expanded with two new models: the Uncharted (more compact) and the Trailseeker (larger, suitable for families). If both models are well-received by the market, Subaru may continue to develop an even smaller electric vehicle than the Uncharted, targeting the B-segment.

Platform and potential for Subaru's small electric vehicles.

In the European market, where demand for small electric vehicles is booming, David Dello Stritto, Subaru's regional director, predicts that a new wave of urban electric vehicles is poised to launch.

Models such as the Renault 5 E-Tech, Volkswagen ID.2, Cupra Raval, MG 2, and Dacia Sandero EV are expected to lead this trend. Additionally, there are smaller A-segment electric vehicles like the Renault Twingo EV, the affordable Dacia EV, and a new Honda mini EV, all targeting the demand for compact and fuel-efficient electric vehicles in the European market.

However, Subaru needs time to evaluate. Dello Stritto stated that the company needs approximately two years to assess the market performance of the Uncharted before making a decision on expanding into the segment.

Subaru's current electric vehicle models all use a shared technology platform with Toyota, its strategic partner. If Subaru decides to develop a B-segment electric vehicle, it will likely share technology with the Toyota Yaris electric, a model currently rumored to be in development.

However, Andrea Carlucci, Toyota Europe's Marketing and Product Development Director, stated that Toyota is currently focusing on larger electric vehicle segments and is not prioritizing the development of smaller vehicles. This could affect Subaru's progress in launching a B-segment electric vehicle, but the use of a common platform remains a significant advantage in reducing development costs.

Regarding naming conventions, Subaru may also leverage familiar names to position its products. The Trailseeker model is expected to be called...E-Outbackin Europe, so this B-segment model will most likely be named...JustinorE-JustyThese names were once very familiar to Subaru users in the US.

However, the likelihood of Subaru's B-segment electric vehicle coming to the US is very low. The market has virtually no small electric vehicles left after the Chevy Bolt EV, Bolt EUV, and BMW i3 ceased sales. Even gasoline-powered B-segment cars are disappearing. Bringing small electric vehicles to the US would not be economically viable without special incentives similar to those offered for Japanese kei cars.

Speaking to Autocar, Masahiko Inoue, Subaru's global head of electric vehicles, said the company is working to build a more diverse electric vehicle portfolio to meet customer needs. The consideration of developing a B-segment electric vehicle shows that Subaru not only wants to compete in the family electric vehicle segment but also targets crowded urban areas where compact and energy-efficient vehicles are increasingly popular.

Although this plan is still subject to many factors, Subaru is demonstrating its determination to catch up with the global electric vehicle trend.

Quoc Duan