In the quiet suburbs of Hiroshima, a Japanese startup called KG Motors is turning heads with its tiny electric car the Mibot, a futuristic one-seater that looks more like a golf cart than a traditional car.
Priced at just ¥1 million (around $7,000), the Mibot is Japan’s cheapest EV and already a massive hit. With over 2,250 pre-orders, it's set to outsell Toyota's electric lineup in the country a surprising twist in a market where EV adoption has been slow.
Founder Kazunari Kusunoki believes cars in Japan are too big for the narrow streets. His answer? A compact EV that’s just 1.5 meters tall, can go 100 km on a full charge, and reaches a top speed of 60 km/h. Charging takes just five hours.
The Mibot is lightweight, minimal, and built for everyday city use. It’s not trying to compete with full-sized EVs it’s offering a new category: ultra-small, personal electric mobility.
Japan’s EV market still lags behind the global average, with electric cars making up only 3.5% of total sales in 2023. Big names like BYD and Hyundai are joining the small EV trend, but KG Motors is leading the way with a product that's both affordable and practical.
Kusunoki, a former YouTuber, launched the company in 2022. His goal? Solve rural mobility issues, especially for Japan’s aging population. With public transport in decline and roads too tight for large cars, the idea of one car per person not per household is gaining traction.
KG Motors aims to deliver 3,300 units by March 2027, scale to 10,000 cars a year and eventually turn a profit after the first batch.
It’s a bold vision but in Japan, the smallest EV might just make the biggest difference.
