Japanese startup KG Motors has developed the Mibot, a US$7,000 single-seat electric vehicle that resembles a futuristic golf cart more than a traditional car, yet has captured significant market attention in Japan's compact mobility sector.
The company has already pre-sold over half of the 3,300 units planned for delivery by March 2027, with production targets reaching 10,000 units annually thereafter as KG Motors works to acquire necessary vehicle safety certification for commercialization.
The Mibot charges from a regular household plug as quickly as an iPad and costs about half the price of average electric vehicles, utilizing a minimalist design with fewer parts—primarily a battery, motor, and basic electronics within a monocoque chassis.
Unlike larger kei cars such as the popular US$16,000 Nissan Sakura, KG Motors built the Mibot to meet Japan's "original minicar" regulations, targeting the country's most popular vehicle segment that accounts for over half of all cars sold in Japan.
This streamlined approach challenges the belief that electric vehicles won't become popular in Japan, offering an affordable solution perfectly suited for urban environments where space is limited and most driving needs are short-distance commutes.
