Japan is facing a mini-revolution that could change the outlook for the Japanese automotive industry. City cruising in Japan is challenging as it is, add the narrow streets and the automotive industry’s proclivity for large vehicles, and simply driving through Japan’s cities can prove to be quite a stressful experience for the most seasoned drivers. Japan is a unique country unlike any other in the world; as a result, the cars coming out of the land of the rising sun are equally unique. It comes as no surprise that Japan would be the location for the EV to evolve into something unique.
Japan’s dense cities and narrow roads are perfect for the micro-EV
Japan is well-known for its densely populated cities that have narrow roads designed for horse carriages. The unique geographical challenges that the Japanese face have presented it with a unique opportunity to fill a gap in the market. The tight cities are the perfect environment for the micro-EV to thrive.
Japan’s infrastructure is a positive factor as well. The densely populated cities have the infrastructure needed to enable at-home charging of personal EVs. Japan loves a small car; however, the recent rise of the even smaller micro-EV has led to some interesting developments in the automotive sector. The urban population is acutely aware of the very specific needs in a country with a relatively small surface area.
The micro-EV has found a home in the land of the rising sun
The best-selling automotive market in Japan is the small car or “kei car” sector. Due to the unique population challenges in Japan, the smaller car has found a warm embrace from the people of the land of the rising sun. Here are a few key factors in the success of the microcar in Japan.
- Convenience and efficiency: The size and lightweight materials used in the small car production are perfect for cruising the narrow streets of Japan. The microcar is easy to drive, easy to charge, and crucially, easy to park in a country that is tight on space.
- Affordability and running costs: The major hindrance to the EV has been the selling price. On average, an EV costs twice as much as a traditional gasoline-powered car. Due to its size and lightweight design, the micro-EV is significantly cheaper than a larger EV that the world has become enamored by.
- Green mobility: For any country that has such densely populated urban areas, providing clean, sustainable transport for the masses is key. Japan has incentivized the electric vehicle and offers subsidies for those aiming to buy an EV.
A new micro-EV has started a mini-revolution in Japan
While the micro-EV is a relatively new innovation in the electric vehicle sector, Japan has been fond of the smaller vehicle and has embraced a new one-seater micro-EV from Japanese startup, KG Motors. Their new Mibot micro-EV is just 2,490 mm long and is roughly the same size as a golf cart. The Mibot has a range of around 62 miles and a maximum speed of just 37 mph.
As with most innovations coming out of Asia, the pace of progress is truly remarkable. KG Motors is uniquely placed to offer an affordable EV for the drivers of the world to consider, as the new Mibot micro-EV will set you back around $7,000. Up until last year, Nissan had the title as the best-selling EV in Japan with 22,926 units sold. If KG Motors can deliver on its promise, the Mibot can easily become the best-selling EV in Japan.
Asia has become the home of innovation for the automotive sector.
As the world has been taken over by the digital revolution, the countries with the best and brightest car engineers and designers are doing their utmost to innovate the car as we know it. KG Motors could fill a gap in the automotive sector with its new Mibot micro-EV. The Japanese have embraced the concept, as evident in the success of the “kei car” sector. The first 300 Mibot models are set for delivery in Japan in March 2026. KG Motors is confident in the Mibot as a further 3000 models will be shipped internationally.
