BYD has officially unveiled its first electric kei car, known as the Racco, at the ongoing Japan Mobility Show. As you may recall, leaks surrounding this model surfaced ahead of its debut, though not much is not known about it apart from its design. But one thing’s for certain, it is the first kei car developed by a manufacturer outside Japan – and an electric one, at that.
In terms of design, the Racco adopts the typical kei car aesthetic popular in Japan, featuring a boxy and upright stance. At the front, it sports C-shaped LED headlights and round fog lights, while the sides include four doors, with the rear doors designed to slide. Meanwhile, the rear continues the boxy theme, highlighted by a circular through-type taillight design and an illuminated BYD logo.
It goes without saying that the Racco is BYD’s smallest EV yet, measuromg 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width and 1,800 mm in height, and is capable of accommodating four passengers. According to CNC, the interior features an instrument panel, a floating central touchscreen, a three-spoke steering wheel, and rectangular air-conditioning vents integrated into the dashboard.
Performance-wise, the automaker remains tight-lipped, however as reported before it is expected to feature a 20 kWh LFP battery offering a CLTC range of around 180 km. While the range may appear modest, the car’s compact design indicates it is primarily intended for urban commuting rather than long-distance travel. It is also reported that the kei car will support fast charging of up to 100 kW.
Pricing for the BYD Racco has yet to be formally announced, but based on an earlier announcement by the Chinese EV maker and Aeon, it could start from around JPY 2 million (approximately RM55,059). The electric kei car is slated to debut in Japan in 2026.
