Fingers crossed the Toyota Kayoibako electric microvan gets a US release
If you’ve ever wanted a compact, modular, and electric van, look no further — the Toyota Kayoibako electric microvan might just be the car of your dreams. Toyota claims their new concept van represents the “future of cars”, and even though it may sound a little preposterous, it’s arguably 100% true.
The sleek design on the Toyota Kayoibako electric microvan features sharp lines which slope down aggressively at the front windshield. The LED lighting surrounding the vehicle is minimal and elegant, and standing at six feet tall and 13 feet long, it doesn’t seem too overdressed when compared to the EV microvans running through Japan.
According to Toyota, the term “kayoibako” is derived from the shipping container industry and describes movable containers that follow a universal size guideline. The theme is well represented, as the van can be set up as a mobile shop by adding shelves for products to show, a minibus by adding more seats, or a personal vehicle by customizing everything to the owner’s preferences and needs thanks to its modular floor plan and configurable software.
The Japanese automaker has also stated the Kayoibako EV “is a new compact space concept that represents the future of mobility.” Given that not everyone requires 200-kilowatt-hour batteries and hundreds of miles of range on a full charge every day, it seems like they may have a point.
On the inside, the majority of the additional equipment is dispersed over a narrow, broad screen that separates the lower window from the primary windshield and gives a view of what’s directly in front of the van, which is useful for navigating through congested areas.
Although the Toyota Kayoibako electric microvan is probably too small to pique interest in the US market, we still believe there’s a niche market east of the Pacific. Unfortunately, the Kayoibako EV is only a concept and production plans have been revealed.
