BYD Confirms Electric Kei Car Prototype for Oct. 29 Tokyo Debut

Overview

• BYD Japan says the vehicle is a prototype light EV engineered to meet kei-class size and power limits.
• Media reports indicate a 20 kWh Blade battery with about 180 km WLTC range plus a heat pump and up to 100 kW DC fast charging.
• Pricing is reportedly targeted around ¥2.5 million, undercutting the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EV before incentives.
• Retail launch is expected in 2026, with production likely outside Japan and vehicles exported due to BYD’s lack of local plants.
• The move tests Japanese consumer appetite in a kei segment dominated by domestic brands, where EVs held roughly 2.2% market share in 2024.