Designed especially for Japanese customers, the Racco is BYD’s first electric kei car.
29 Oct 2025 | 3072 Views | By Akbar Merchant
BYD has taken the wraps off its all-new Racco electric kei car at the ongoing Japan Mobility Show 2025. Developed specifically for the Japanese market, the compact EV is targeted at small-car buyers, and its name — Racco — translates to “sea otter” in Japanese. The model will officially go ...
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BYD has taken the wraps off its all-new Racco electric kei car at the ongoing Japan Mobility Show 2025. Developed specifically for the Japanese market, the compact EV is targeted at small-car buyers, and its name — Racco — translates to “sea otter” in Japanese. The model will officially go on sale in Japan next summer.
BYD Racco: Dimensions and design
Staying true to kei car proportions, the BYD Racco measures 3,395mm in length, 1,475mm in width, and 1,800mm in height, and features a tall, boxy silhouette to maximise cabin space. It adopts a clean, minimalist design with a closed-off front grille, C-shaped LED headlights, and a distinctive circular through-type tail-light bar at the rear. The illuminated BYD logo sits prominently in the centre.
The four door Racco gets rear sliding doors for easy ingress and egress — a common trait among newer Japanese kei cars. Inside, the cabin is simple yet functional, with a central touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, three-spoke steering wheel, and rectangular air vents integrated into the dashboard.
BYD Racco: Powertrain and range
Powering the Racco is a front-mounted electric motor paired with a 20kWh LFP Blade battery pack, delivering a WLTC-rated range of 180km. The electric hatchback will also support 100kW DC fast charging, though BYD has yet to reveal performance or output figures.
BYD’s Japan lineup and rivals
Once launched, the Racco will become BYD’s fifth model in Japan, joining the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, and Sealion 7. It will compete directly with popular Japanese domestic-market kei EVs such as the Honda N-Box and Nissan Sakura — the latter also offers a 20kWh battery and similar 180km range.
BYD is expected to price the Racco from around 2.6 million yen (approx. USD 17,000), placing it squarely in line with its domestic rivals. With kei cars accounting for nearly one-third of Japan’s car market, the Racco could play a crucial role in expanding BYD’s footprint in the country.