Daihatsu BCX

The BCX was an early electric concept car and the first in a planned series of BCX prototypes, although the project never moved beyond this initial model.

It debuted at the 18th Tokyo Motor Show on October 29, 1971, showcasing a compact, lightweight design and forward-looking electric drivetrain.

Powered by a 72-volt, 100-Ah electric system, the BCX used a 5.3 kW motor that delivered a top speed of about 80 km/h and a driving range of roughly 60 kilometres.

Despite its modest output, the car’s low weight—only 600 kilograms—helped make the most of its performance.

Measuring 3100 mm in length, 1400 mm in width, and 1250 mm in height, the BCX was small even by early-1970s city-car standards, reflecting its role as an experiment in ultra-compact urban mobility.

Though it never advanced to production, the BCX stands as an intriguing snapshot of early electric-vehicle thinking.