Mibot

"KG Motors" redirects here. For the South Korean manufacturer, see KG Mobility.
Mibot
Overview
ManufacturerKG Motors
ProductionExpected in April 2026
Body and chassis
Body styleMicrocar
LayoutRear-motor, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Electric motor5 kW (0.59 kW continuous) permanent magnet synchronous
TransmissionSingle-speed gear reduction
Battery7.68 kWh LFP
Electric range100 km (62 mi) (estimate)
Plug-in chargingAC (100–200 V)
Dimensions
Length2,490 mm (98 in)[1]
Width1,130 mm (44 in)[1]
Height1,465 mm (57.7 in)[1]
Curb weight430 kg (950 lb)[2]

The Mibot (stylized in all lowercase; pronounced [mibotto][3]) is a battery electric microcar to be produced by KG Motors, a startup company based near Hiroshima, Japan.

History

Kusunoki Kazunari, nicknamed "Kussun", used to run an auto parts supplier, until he sold his company in 2018 and began developing the Mibot in 2022, in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima prefecture. "KG" stands for Kussun Garage, which is also the former name of Kazunari's YouTube channel.[4]

KG Motors first demonstrated a vehicle, the T-Box concept, at the 2022 Tokyo Motor Show. The T-Box was used as the basis for the Mibot.[5]

As of May 2025, the company has received 3,300 preorders for the car; it expects to produce 10,000 units per year. By contrast, Toyota Motors sold about 2,000 EVs in Japan in all of 2024.[6]

KG Motors delivered its first Mibot on December 30, 2025. The company said at that time that it intends to start full-scale mass production in April 2026.[7]

In January 2026, KG Motors and Idemitsu Kosan signed a formal business agreement, whereby some of Idemitsu's apollostation filling stations in Tokyo and Hiroshima will provide assistance with delivery, registration, insurance, maintenance, and parts for Mibot vehicles.[8]

Specifications

The Mibot has one seat, a range of 100 kilometres (62 mi), and can charge via AC from a Japanese standard 100 V or 200 V outlet, using a J1772 connector.[9] The vehicle has a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph). The company is targeting rural areas poorly served by public transportation.[10] The Mibot is priced at 1,000,000 Japanese yen (about US$7,000, as of May 2025) before tax, half the price of Japan's most popular electric vehicle (EV), the Nissan Sakura.[6]

KG Motors designed the Mibot to meet Japan's original minicar (原付ミニカー, gentsuki minikā; lit. 'moped minicar') regulations, which are smaller than current kei car size limits. The car will have a single, rear-mounted motor rated at 6.7 horsepower (5.0 kW), or 0.79 horsepower (0.59 kW) continuous, and a 7.68 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.[11] The Mibot is 1,465 millimetres (57.7 in) tall, 1,130 millimetres (44 in) wide, and 2,490 millimetres (98 in) long.[1] It includes a heated seat, a touchscreen, an audio system, and air conditioning, and can carry up to 45 kilograms (99 lb) of cargo.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "車両のサイズ（高さ、幅、長さ）はどれくらいですか？". KG Motors（KGモーターズ） (in Japanese). Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "車両重量はどれくらいですか？". KG Motors（KGモーターズ） (in Japanese). Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  3. ^ 【13.9億調達】mibot量産に向けて、今後の展望を語ります (in Japanese). self-published. May 15, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Ayano, Yoshikawa (November 12, 2023). "Japanese auto startup has big plans for a tiny car". NHK WORLD. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  5. ^ Bell, Jonathan (October 7, 2024). "The mibot is a tiny single-seater 'mobility robot' for traversing Japan's crowded city centres". Wallpaper. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Forlini, Emily (May 29, 2025). "This Tiny $7,000 Electric Car Is More Popular in Japan Than Toyota's EVs". PCMAG. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  7. ^ Johnson, Peter (2025-12-30). "This $7,000 mini EV 'mibot' is already a hit in Japan as deliveries kick off". Electrek. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  8. ^ Tribdino, Raymond (16 February 2026). "Japan's Smallest EV Gets Backing From One Of Its Largest Energy Companies". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  9. ^ "mibotがJ1772に対応！自宅と外出先、どう充電すればいい？". mibot (Press release) (in Japanese). 18 July 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  10. ^ Takahashi, Nicholas (May 28, 2025). "This $7,000 Single-Seat Electric Car Is a Big Hit in Japan". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  11. ^ Seabaugh, Christian (June 4, 2025). "A New EV for Less Than $8,000? In This Economy?!". Motor Trend. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  12. ^ Dow, Cat (June 4, 2025). "Check out Japan's newest and cutest single-seater, the MiBot". Top Gear. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
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