MiBot Moves to Mass Production, Kicking off an Ultra-Compact EV Revolution in Asia – CleanTechnica

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Stories of our discoveries of cars on bike lanes in Amsterdam may soon have a parallel narrative in Japan. MiBot, that tiny EV that CleanTechnica reported on in August, goes into production this year. CleanTechnica reached out to MiBot creator Kazunari Kusunoki, who is also the founder and CEO of the Japanese company KG Motors, to talk more about this. We are still awaiting his reply. In the meantime, we contacted their media office for this updated report.

Made in Hiroshima

The MiBot, an ultra-compact, single-seat EV developed by Hiroshima-based startup KG Motors, has successfully transitioned from prototype to production. This milestone, achieved on schedule in the final quarter of 2025, positions the MiBot as a formidable challenger to traditional auto giants in the crucial segment of affordable, urban mobility.

Following extensive prototype testing, including crash tests and cold-weather durability trials, KG Motors officially began mass production of the MiBot in October 2025 at its new assembly facility near its headquarters in Higashi Hiroshima City.

The production process itself reflects the MiBot’s philosophy of simplicity and efficiency. The assembly plant utilizes a streamlined, single production line with significantly fewer steps than a conventional automotive assembly line, helping to keep both production costs and the final vehicle price low. The initial delivery timeline is highly anticipated: the first batch, comprising 300 units, is targeted for delivery to customers in Hiroshima and Tokyo by March 2026. This will be followed by Phase 2, where an additional 3,000 units are scheduled for nationwide shipment across Japan by March 2027.

Outpacing giants in pre-orders

The strong market response to the MiBot demonstrates a profound, underserved demand for targeted mobility solutions. With pre-orders exceeding 2,250 units before the official production start, KG Motors has already outsold the total number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) sold by Toyota in Japan during 2024.

Priced at approximately ¥1 million ($7,000 USD) before tax, the MiBot is half the price of Japan’s current best-selling EV, the Nissan Sakura. This affordability is central to the company’s mission, making it a viable option for rural areas facing a decline in public transportation and an aging demographic needing easy, personal transport.

Designed to fit into Japan’s restrictive “original minicar” classification (a step smaller than the well-known kei car category), the MiBot is defined by its compact utility. It offers a modest 100 km (62 mile) range and 60 km/h (37 mph) top speed, figures intentionally optimized for short urban and local trips. The vehicle can be fully charged in about five hours using a standard Japanese household outlet. Furthermore, despite its simplicity, the MiBot includes a crucial future-proofing feature: over-the-air (OTA) software update capability, demonstrating its classification as a modern Software Defined Vehicle (SDV).

KG Motors plans to steadily ramp up production to a long-term goal of 10,000 units annually, positioning the MiBot not just as an affordable car, but as a critical piece of the puzzle for solving Japan’s complex urban and rural mobility challenges.