Competition is intensifying in the Japanese market for electric minivehicles and compact electric vehicles, with Chinese automaker BYD set to join the race this summer.

Some industry officials expect that greater competition will help revitalize the domestic EV market and increase sales through the expansion of product lineups and price cuts.

This summer Nissan Motor Co. plans to release a low-cost model of its Sakura electric minivehicle, which first hit the market in 2022.