This Tiny Mibot EV Outsold Toyota’s EVs In Japan

Say hello to the Mibot, a compact electric car from Japanese startup KG Motors that’s small enough to park inside a Toyota HiAce van. Yes, it's that tiny.

Founder Kazunari Kusunoki believes today’s cars have outgrown the needs of most city drivers. Built with narrow Japanese streets in mind, the Mibot measures just 2,490 mm long and offers 62 miles of range with a top speed of 37 mph. It’s not built for highways, but as a city commuter or village runabout, it gets the job done.

Despite being a young company, KG Motors has already sold 2,250 units—more than Toyota’s entire EV sales in Japan last year. Even BYD delivered only slightly more. 

One reason for the Mibot’s early success is its price of around ¥1 million (roughly $6,900). It’s simple, affordable, and avoids the high-tech clutter that often comes with EVs today.

Kusunoki hopes the Mibot can help shift public perception in Japan, where many still doubt EVs will catch on. Once the initial batch of 3,300 cars is complete, the company plans to expand to 10,000 units annually. That's an ambitious target.