Cheap electric city cars coming! Suzuki working on more affordable, more efficient EVs with two-speed transmissions

Suzuki has announced it’s working with transmission engineering firm Inmotive Inc. to develop more affordable electric cars.

The main benefit Inmotive can bring to the table for Suzuki is its two-speed EV gearbox, which is a rarity in the industry - almost every production electric car uses a single-speed transmission, the exception being the Porsche Taycan and related Audi e-tron GT.

Suzuki aims to bring the efficiency of a two-speed transmission to the more affordable end of the EV market.

“Suzuki believes that it has the possibility of extending electric vehicle range through efficient use of motor torque while also lowering costs due to using a smaller electric powertrain unit and improving driving performance in various driving scenes,” the company said in a statement confirming the joint development agreement with Inmotive.

The two-speed assembly allows for one gear to handle city and urban speeds, while a higher gear makes highway driving more efficient. It also means a smaller electric powertrain can be used thanks to the increased versatility of the gearbox.

“Through its compact and simple design, the Ingear can improve electric vehicle cost, range and efficiency,” Inmotive explains.

“An Ingear can extend EV range by up to 15 per cent and improve acceleration by up to 15 per cent. Its patented geometry ensures a smooth and quiet ride.”

Suzuki has confirmed this will be used in “a future Suzuki electric vehicle,” though leaves the actual application unspecified.

However, it’s possible Suzuki’s announcement of plans to develop an affordable EV are imminent, as the 2023 Auto Expo in India kicks off this week, where Suzuki not only has a strong manufacturing presence, but also its influential Maruti Suzuki brand.

Suzuki will use a two-speed transmission in a future EV model.

Speaking to Reuters in 2022, a Suzuki spokesperson said the brand “will enter EV and strong hybrid cars in India by 2025”.

While some small models built by Suzuki in India could be for that market only given more relaxed safety requirements, it’s possible the electric car developments could make their way to models built there for Australia like the Jimny.

Suzuki has previously told CarsGuide it has been “aggressively pushing for the introduction of hybrid platforms available globally”, and hopes to see a strong lineup of electrified vehicles available in Australia in the near future.