A Revolutionary Electric Vehicle in Japan
In the rural suburbs of Hiroshima, a Japanese startup is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market with the smallest and cheapest car it can produce. KG Motors has developed a battery-powered one-seater called the ‘mibot,’ which more closely resembles a futuristic golf cart than a modern EV. Despite its unconventional design, over half of the 3,300 units planned for delivery in 2027 have already been pre-sold to customers.
The mibot is designed to tackle Japan’s narrow streets and aging population issues. With a height of under 1.5 meters, it has a range of 100 kilometers, a charging time of five hours, and a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour. The vehicle will cost ¥1 million ($7,000) before tax when production starts in October at KG Motors’ new factory.
The Japanese EV market has been challenging for both domestic and foreign automakers. EVs accounted for only about 3.5% of total vehicle sales in 2023, far below the global average of 18%. KG Motors is targeting rural areas where public transportation is limited, and the need for personal mobility is high.
“Cars are simply too big,” said Kazunari Kusunoki, founder and CEO of KG Motors. “Seeing so many big cars traveling Japan’s narrow streets – that’s where this all began for me.”
The startup’s focus on a compact, cost-efficient design is expected to meet the needs of Japan’s aging population and rural communities. As of early May, KG Motors had received 2,250 orders, with over 95% coming from homeowners with at least one vehicle.
KG Motors plans to deliver the first 300 mibots to customers in Hiroshima and Tokyo by mid-2025, followed by nationwide shipments. The company aims to produce around 10,000 units annually after breaking even on the second batch of production.
