Meet the $7,000 mini EV that’s taking Japan by storm

Monday 9 June 2025 16:26

Japan’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape is turning heads thanks to an unexpected new contender. Meet the Mibot, a micro-sized, all-electric marvel from startup KG Motors, priced under $7,000—a figure so low, it’s literally less than the federal tax credit in the United States.

The Mibot grabbed headlines after KG Motors stunned onlookers by driving the car straight into the back of a Toyota HiAce van. At just under 100 inches long, this EV redefines city commuting.

? Q: What Makes the Mibot So Different

The Mibot isn’t just another city EV—it’s redefining what “small” means. At only 98 inches from bumper to bumper, its footprint is nearly invisible alongside traditional cars, even shrinking beneath classic Kei cars that usually rule Japan’s compact-obsessed market.

This one-seater’s mission? Absolute simplicity. No frills, no fuss, just pure urban mobility. KG Motors founder Kazunari Kusunoki wanted to break the mold of “bigger is better,” focusing on maneuvering Japan’s famously tight streets and packing into even the tiniest parking spaces.

? Q: How Does the Price Stack Up

At roughly ¥1 million (or $6,900), the Mibot undercuts just about every rival—barely a quarter of the price of the average entry-level EV, including the $28,000 Slate Auto electric pickup in the US. Hilariously, the Mibot’s base price is even lower than the $7,500 American federal EV tax incentive.

For comparison:

Toyota’s entire Japanese EV lineup in 2024: about 2,000 sold

BYD, a global phenom: only 2,200 deliveries in Japan

KG Motors Mibot: 2,250 and counting

How Can You Use a Micro-EV Like the Mibot?

If you’re looking to:

Skip rising city gas prices

Never stress over street parking again

Embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle

Cruise through traffic jams and tight alleyways

The Mibot is designed to be the ultimate urban tool.

?Q: What’s Next for KG Motors

With strong early demand, KG Motors aims to ramp up from 3,300 units annually to a whopping 10,000 by 2027. If current momentum holds, Japan’s famously skeptical EV market might soon have thousands of these pint-sized disruptors zipping around Tokyo, Osaka and beyond.

Company founder Kusunoki hopes this explosion in micro-EV adoption will shift Japan’s electric future. Even industry leaders like Toyota have previously dismissed full electrification as unlikely in Japan, shaping public attitudes for years. But the Mibot’s explosive sales suggest the story is changing.

How to Get Ahead of the City’s Mobility Revolution

Curious about the world of creative and compact EVs? Explore more at Carscoops, take a peek at industry news on Bloomberg, and see how the bigger players respond at Toyota or BYD.