For the longest time, kei cars—Japan’s tiny vehicles built within strict size and power limits in exchange for lower taxes and running costs—have been almost exclusively Japanese. But this being 2026, Chinese auto giant BYD has decided to squeeze into the kei-car parking space with the RACCO, a mini-EV developed specifically for Japan.
This is not a regular BYD put through the dryer. The RACCO rides on a newly developed chassis based on e-Platform 3.0, with a fresh body, drivetrain, and control systems engineered around Japan’s kei regulations. It is also BYD’s first kei EV and, according to the company, the first purpose-built kei car from an overseas automaker.
Its newly developed X-PACK integrates the Blade Battery, control units, onboard charger, power distribution hardware, and other EV components into one compact package. The RACCO also uses Cell-to-Body construction, around 70 percent high-strength steel, and laser-welded roof and side panels. All that engineering is wrapped in a super-tall body with dual power-sliding doors, front-wheel drive, and right-hand drive—as it should be.
Two battery models offer official ranges between 210 and 320 km (130–199 miles) per charge. The lineup comprises the RACCO 200, RACCO 300Plus, and RACCO 300Premium, with six exterior colors available across the range.
BYD also calls it the world’s first software-defined kei EV. Over-the-air updates can add or improve vehicle functions after purchase, much like a smartphone, except your phone probably cannot carry four people.
The standard battery warranty runs for eight years or 160,000 km (99,400 miles). An ¥18,000 paid extension increases battery-capacity coverage to 10 years or 200,000 km (124,300 miles).
The BYD RACCO is available now in Japan [JP], priced at 2,145,000 yen for the 200, 2,398,000 yen for the 300Plus, and 2,497,000 yen for the 300Premium—about US$13,400, US$15,000, and US$15,600, respectively. The RACCO 200 can also be financed from 19,300 yen (around US$121) per month under BYD’s specified five-year plan.
Images: BYD [JP].
