BYD's first electric kei car is ready to launch

Chinese company BYD is preparing to launch its first electric kei car in the summer of 2026. The compact model has been named Racco and has already sparked discussion in Japan, where such cars are very popular.

The Racco measures 3395 x 1475 x 1800 mm. In terms of size, the car is comparable to the Honda N-Box, the best-selling car in the country. The new model has a “super-high” layout and sliding doors.

The interior is designed in an “ocean aesthetic” style with a minimalist dashboard and a floating touchscreen. The model is built on a platform with a front electric motor and a 20 kWh LFP battery from FinDreams, providing a range of about 180 km on the WLTC cycle.

The expected price is around 2.5 million yen, which is equivalent to approximately $16,300. Racco will compete with local electric vehicles and marks BYD's attempt to gain a foothold in the Japanese market, which has traditionally been focused on hybrids.