In a world where “affordable” cars now start north of $25,000, Japan’s KG Motors is making waves with something refreshingly simple: the Mibot, a tiny EV priced around just $7,650. Yes, you read that right. In 2025. During this economy.
While big automakers keep chasing luxury margins, startups are stepping up to fill the budget-friendly gap. Much like Slate Auto’s upcoming $27,000 electric pickup truck in the U.S., the Mibot was built for a very specific audience: Japan’s older rural drivers and young city dwellers navigating ultra-tight streets.
This EV is barebones but clever. It has only one seat, a 6.7-horsepower rear motor, and a 7.68-kWh battery good for about 62 miles, if you’re going a steady 18 mph. It tops out at 37.2 mph, and charges fully in 5 hours from a standard Japanese outlet. No fast charging here, but you do get heating, AC, and even space for two kerosene tanks in the back. Yes, really.
The Mibot is built under Japan’s original minicar rules, which means no inspections, no required proof of parking, and very low insurance. And even though it’s a one-seater, pets are allowed in the back.
What’s Ahead for the EV Market?
With 2,250 orders already in and growing buzz, the Mibot might just outsell Toyota’s own EVs. It’s not flashy or fast, but it’s affordable, practical, and kind of adorable. Sometimes, less really is more.
And here’s the kicker: it’s not trying to be anything it’s not. The Mibot isn’t pretending to be a Tesla or some futuristic concept. It’s a modern-day mule: dependable, unpretentious, and designed to simply get you from A to B without draining your wallet.
Need to swing by the local shop? Park in a sliver of space? Zip through a tight alley in Tokyo or hug a rural mountain road? The Mibot says, “No problem.” It’s the kind of vehicle that doesn’t need a lot of marketing spin, it just makes sense.
In a world overflowing with overcomplicated tech and sky-high prices, something this humble, this honest, feels like a breath of fresh air.
