Mibot
| Mibot | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | KG Motors |
| Production | Expected in Q1 2027 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | Microcar |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | 5 kW (0.59 kW continuous) permanent magnet synchronous |
| Transmission | Single-speed gear reduction |
| Battery | 7.68 kWh LFP |
| Electric range | 100 km (62 mi) (estimate) |
| Plug-in charging | AC: 1.0–1.2 kW[1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 2,490 mm (98 in)[2] |
| Width | 1,130 mm (44 in)[2] |
| Height | 1,465 mm (57.7 in)[2] |
| Curb weight | 430 kg (950 lb)[3] |
The Mibot (stylized in all lowercase; pronounced [mibotto][4]) is a battery electric microcar to be produced by KG Motors, a startup company based near Hiroshima, Japan.
History
[edit]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.[5]
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.[6]
Specifications
[edit]The Mibot has one seat, a range of 100 kilometres (62 mi), a charging time of 5 hours from a Japanese standard 100 V outlet, and a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph). The company is targeting rural areas poorly served by public transportation.[7] 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. KG Motors plans to deliver its first models to customers by March 2027.[8]
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.[9] The Mibot is 1,465 millimetres (57.7 in) tall, 1,130 millimetres (44 in) wide, and 2,490 millimetres (98 in) long.[2] It includes a heated seat, a touchscreen, an audio system, and air conditioning, and can carry up to 45 kilograms (99 lb) of cargo.[10]
Presales
[edit]As of May 2025[update], 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.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "100V AC 出力の連続最大電力はどれくらいですか？". KG Motors（KGモーターズ） (in Japanese). Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 【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.
- ^ Ayano, Yoshikawa (November 12, 2023). "Japanese auto startup has big plans for a tiny car". NHK WORLD. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Takahashi, Nicholas (May 28, 2025). "This $7,000 Single-Seat Electric Car Is a Big Hit in Japan". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Seabaugh, Christian (June 4, 2025). "A New EV for Less Than $8,000? In This Economy?!". Motor Trend. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Dow, Cat (June 4, 2025). "Check out Japan's newest and cutest single-seater, the MiBot". Top Gear. Retrieved June 6, 2025.