Op-Ed: How A $14,000 Electric Kei Car Became Japan's Best-Selling EV & Saved Nissan - CleanTechnica

The Nissan Sakura, a compact and affordable electric kei car priced around $14,000 after subsidies, has become Japan’s best-selling EV for three consecutive years, playing a crucial role in stabilizing Nissan amid past financial and management challenges. In 2024, Nissan sold 37,140 units of the Sakura, nearly half of all EV sales in Japan, and led the EV market in the first half of 2025 with a 40% share, outperforming Tesla and BYD. Since its launch in 2022, the Sakura has garnered over 60,000 orders, prompting temporary sales pauses due to production backlogs. It also won Japan Car of the Year and kei car of the year awards alongside its mechanical twin, the Mitsubishi eK X EV. The Sakura’s success stems from its precise design tailored specifically for Japan’s kei car segment, which benefits from tax and parking advantages and represents over a third of new vehicle sales in the country. Its dimensions maximize interior space despite compact