“The future of mobility will not be defined by a single vehicle, a single technology or a single way of thinking,” said Simon Humphries, Toyota brand director and head of design. “Scion by Toyota allows us to challenge conventional thinking, explore new possibilities and create mobility in new ways. The KEI-01, SxS and BKE concepts each represent a different possibility and together they show what can happen when curiosity leads the way.”
Before anyone gets too excited, the KEI-01 will be classified as a “low-speed vehicle,” meaning it can’t go faster than 25 mph (40 km/h). So if you were hoping to use one but have to drive on non-surface streets, prepare to get a lot of honking, and not in a good way. In fact, unless you’re buying a fleet, Toyota won’t sell you a KEI-01 at all, at least not to begin with.
The bed can support up to 600 lbs (272 kg).
Toyota
The bed can support up to 600 lbs (272 kg).
Toyota
You probably wanted a kei car like the Honda N-One. But that’s not what we get.
Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg
You probably wanted a kei car like the Honda N-One. But that’s not what we get.
Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg
Not only will the KEI-01 be dwarfed by other cars and limited to 25 mph, but the steering wheel is on the wrong side.
Toyota
Not only will the KEI-01 be dwarfed by other cars and limited to 25 mph, but the steering wheel is on the wrong side.
Toyota
You probably wanted a kei car like the Honda N-One. But that’s not what we get.
Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg
Not only will the KEI-01 be dwarfed by other cars and limited to 25 mph, but the steering wheel is on the wrong side.
Toyota
Oh, and it’s only available in right-hand drive, since that’s the side of the road Japan drives on. But it has all-wheel drive, so if you own a ranch – or maybe a whole bunch of golf courses – the usefulness becomes a little more obvious. Toyota says the KEI-01 is suitable for urban small business owners, farmers and ranchers, organizations whose campuses need installation vehicle fleets, delivery drivers and outdoor enthusiasts. The trucks will be shipped to Toyota’s Indiana assembly plant as knock-down kits, adding 50 jobs to the plant by mid-2027.
Low-speed vehicles have been legal in parts of the United States for many years. In my Washington, DC neighborhood, Circuit operates an on-demand low-speed EV shuttle, and gas-powered golf carts are very popular in retirement communities. The price of the KEI-01 has not been announced, but speculation ranges from as low as $10,000 to as high as $28,000.
Gn bussni
