This Electric Vehicle Fits In A Van's Rear And Is Priced Below The Federal Tax Credit | Carscoops

      A compact Japanese electric vehicle priced under $7,000 is making waves in a generally skeptical EV market.

      The Mibot, created by KG Motors—an auto company established just three years ago—measures 98 inches in length, offers a range of 62 miles (100 km), and has a top speed of 37 mph.

      Locally, the Mibot is priced starting at 1 million yen, or around $7,000 USD.

      When one imagines a small electric vehicle navigating narrow urban streets, thoughts often turn to China, which has been producing affordable EVs at a remarkable rate. However, a budding Japanese startup is now making headlines with an even smaller electric city car aimed at disrupting its domestic market.

      Introducing the Mibot, a miniature electric vehicle from KG Motors. It is smaller than a Kei car and similar in size to the Citroen Ami, which means it doesn’t have ample room for luggage or additional passengers, as it is designed for a single occupant. It is so compact that KG Motors has showcased its ability to fit inside the cargo area of a Toyota HiAce van.

      Read: Japan’s Leading Car Importer? Now It’s a Japanese Brand

      KG Motors’ founder, Kazunari Kusunoki, believes modern vehicles are "simply too large,” and he aspired to create a car better suited for Japan's narrow roadways. The Mibot measures just 2,490 mm (98 inches) long and is equipped with a small battery that provides a range of 62 miles (100 km). Although this range may seem limited, it is sufficient for city driving or use in smaller communities. Its maximum speed is capped at 37 mph (60 km/h).

      Founded in June 2022, KG Motors has already sold 2,250 units. While it often takes new Chinese brands mere minutes to sell “several thousand units” of a newly launched EV, KG Motors is performing commendably for a Japanese brand. In fact, Toyota sold about 2,000 EVs in Japan in 2024. Notably, it’s not just local companies facing struggles; BYD, despite its growing international influence, managed only around 2,200 deliveries in Japan last year.

      KG Motors currently has the capacity to manufacture 3,300 units by March 2027. One significant advantage of the Mibot? Its pricing. At ¥1 million, or roughly $6,900 based on current exchange rates, it is a fraction of the price of Slate Auto’s $28,000 electric pickup, and even lower than the $7,500 federal tax credit associated with that truck.

      This pricing positions the Mibot in an attractive category for impulse buys, particularly for individuals seeking a hassle-free commuter vehicle or a means to get around the neighborhood.

      Kusunoki hopes the Mibot will help alter perceptions of EVs in Japan. “Toyota stated that EVs aren’t the sole answer, and because it’s Toyota, people in Japan seem to take that as truth,” Kusunoki told Bloomberg in a recent interview. “Many people in Japan appear to think EVs won’t gain popularity.”

      After selling the initial batch of 3,300 units, KG Motors aims to expand production rapidly, targeting an annual output of 10,000 units. This is an ambitious move, but early sales suggest that the demand for small, straightforward EVs may be greater than anticipated.

      Photos KG Motors