- BYD launches the Racco in Japan as its first electric kei car.
- It has sliding doors and up to 199 miles of EV range.
- It’s priced from ¥2,145,000 ($13,100) before local subsidies.
BYD has officially launched the Racco EV in Japan, becoming the first automaker from outside Japan to build a kei car. It arrives with aggressive pricing, segment-leading range, a strong warranty, and a long list of standard tech and safety kit.
The car first surfaced back in December 2025 as a near-production prototype. Now the Chinese giant has priced the full lineup and confirmed specifications across every grade.
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The headline is that starting price: ¥2,145,000 ($13,100) before local subsidies. The recently facelifted Nissan Sakura EV and Mitsubishi eK X EV, by comparison, list at ¥2,448,600 and ¥2,446,400, or roughly $14,900 at today’s exchange rates.
Local Rivals Still Have An Advantage
The Chinese newcomer has the lower sticker price, but it’s at a disadvantage compared to its Japanese rivals. Under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) rules, subsidies come down to a scoring system that weighs local manufacturing, battery sourcing, domestic charging network investment, and disaster support capabilities.
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That system lets zero-emission kei cars from local brands qualify for the maximum subsidy cap of ¥580,000 ($3,500), while Chinese imports like the BYD can only tap the basic ¥150,000 ($900) grant.
Because local municipal subsidies stack on top of the national one, a Tokyo resident can buy a Racco for as little as ¥1,545,000 ($9,400). That same buyer can pick up a Nissan Sakura EV or Mitsubishi eK X EV for ¥1,298,600 and ¥1,296,400 (around $7,900), leaving both cheaper on the road.
Here’s Where The BYD Racco Wins
It isn’t the cheapest electric kei car on the road once subsidies settle out, but the BYD Racco takes the upper hand on specifications and standard equipment, which makes for a compelling case.
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The entry-level Racco 200 runs a 22.40 kWh battery pack good for a WLTC range of 210 km (130 miles), already ahead of its rivals. The Racco 300 Plus and 300 Premium step up to a 35.84 kWh battery, stretching range to 320 km (199 miles). The car also handles faster charging of up to 6 kW AC and 50 kW DC, with battery pre-heating for winter, plus V2H and V2L capability.
Every grade runs a front-mounted electric motor making 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS) and 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque, the ceiling for kei cars. BYD says a remarkable 90 percent of the Racco’s components, batteries and electric motors included, were built in-house.
The Racco is based on an adaptation of BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 utilizing Cell-to-Body (CTB) structural LFP Blade battery tech and the “X-PACK” module, which integrates the drive battery, control unit, DC/OBC, and climate control electronics into a single assembly for enhanced crash energy absorption. It also gets a custom suspension system specifically designed for Japanese roads, and four wheel disc brakes, which is uncommon for the segment.
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In terms of styling, it adopts a familiar wagon stance and a boxy silhouette designed to offer the maximum interior space while complying with the strict footprint regulations for kei cars measuring 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long. Among the elements that distinguish the BYD Racco from rivals are the modern LEDs, the practical sliding doors, and the slightly taller stance.
Class-Leading Space And Equipment
Inside, the base model comes standard with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment display, while higher grades upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. Note that most kei cars come without a screen in their basic configuration. The entire lineup supports over-the-air (OTA) updates and comes with six airbags.
The flagship BYD Racco 300 Premium features umbrella holders, a Child Presence Detection system, hands-free sliding doors with light guide projection, Black and Beige synthetic leather upholstery, and a heated cup holder. As for practicality, BYD promises class-leading interior length, width, and height, alongside ample storage compartments. The cargo space of 280 lt (9.9 cubic feet) expands to 1,372 lt (48.5 cubic feet) when the seats are folded.
Available Now
The Racco is already up for order in Japan across BYD’s 70 dealerships, backed by an 8-year / 99,500-mile battery warranty that stretches to 10 years / 124,300 miles. Pricing opens at ¥2,145,000 ($13,100) for the base 200 and climbs to ¥2,497,000 ($15,200) for the flagship 300 Premium, before subsidies. BYD says a five-year plan with no money down on the cheapest Racco starts at ¥19,300 ($120) a month.
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Beyond the electric kei cars, the Racco also squares up against ICE-powered kei wagons like the Honda N-Box, Suzuki Spacia, Daihatsu Tanto, Nissan Roox, Mitsubishi Delica Mini, and eK Space. Whether Japanese buyers go for the BYD’s value and high-tech features over the more established names is the open question.
