Particle.news
Download on the App Store

BYD Unveils Racco Kei EV in Tokyo With Summer 2026 Japan Launch Target

BYD’s Japan‑specific city car moves into a segment dominated by domestic brands, heightening competitive and policy scrutiny.

Overview

  • Revealed at the Japan Mobility Show, the four-seat Racco meets kei dimensions (3,395×1,475×1,800 mm) with sliding rear doors and an LFP battery offered in short- and long-range grades.
  • Reports point to an estimated 20 kWh pack with roughly 180 km WLTC range and DC fast charging up to 100 kW.
  • Pricing is expected to start near ¥2.6 million before subsidies, positioning the model against Nissan’s Sakura, Mitsubishi’s eK X EV and Honda’s new kei EVs.
  • BYD says Japanese sales begin in summer 2026, though some outlets have reported a later start, highlighting uncertainty over rollout timing.
  • Production is slated for China, and the move has drawn warnings from Japanese lawmakers and industry figures as EV subsidies for BYD buyers have been cut to about ¥350,000, with BYD selling roughly 6,600 EVs to date and targeting a presence in all 47 prefectures by the end of next year.