Kei Trucks & Cars

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A space for enthusiasts and owners of Kei vehicles, Japan's iconic mini trucks and cars. Share your ride, get advice, and explore all things kei – from mods and restorations to the latest trends and import news!

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Would you consider this a kei truck? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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ALT: blue tricycle with flatbed panels lowered

Maybe a more philosophical question, but my country classifies this gorgeous bastard as an electric tricycle because its max speed is locked at 25 km/h so it can be driven without any license.

fun fact, a mini version of this without a cabin is getting really popular with old people in rural areas as a way to replace their bikes because it lowers their chances of getting ran over by cars.

I assume it's also being used as a covert disability aid since it looks less like something that would get you discriminated by ableists or by your mates at the pub.

back to the model in the picture, I also predict a big uptake by the people using horse-drawn carts to haul cargo/people. yes, we do have street-legal horse public transport, why do you ask? 🤭

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Is this an Ape?

A Kei car is exactly defined:
max length = 3.40 m
max width = 1.48 m
max height = 2.00 m
max displacement = 660 cm³
max power = 47 kW (63 hp)

Does the vehicle meet all these requirements? If yes then it's a kei car.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Wow no 4 wheel requirement?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

Not that I know of. They always speak of road vehicles.

There might be some other regulation or law that a car has to have four wheels.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

the fourth wheel is the driver /j

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Is this an Ape?

wdym, is that a callback that i don't know about or a rhetorical question?

so, if I understand these standards correctly then even cargo bikes with flatbeds can be called kei cars? if so, then consider me a convert!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

wdym, is that a callback that i don’t know about or a rhetorical question?

I was asking if that is a Piaggio Ape in a version I don't recognize.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

no, just a cheap Chinese OEM with a random label slapped on top

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ah ok. Too bad.

I always hesitate if a car is completely manufactured in China. I always assume they are built too cheaply.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

when you think of it as a cheaper alternative to an electric trike, it's much more attractive to me. electric trikes are way too expensive here

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I'm more thinking about the strength of the used materials and if the construction makes sense. The word Chinesium was invented for a reason.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

i agree that I wouldn't 100% trust its quality but bias could also be playing a role here. I'd much rather own an Ape with an EV kit installed but idk if they exist or if they're cheaper than this.

well, you get what you pay for whether it's Chinese or not. I'd much rather own something like this than a car which I could never afford. and most bikes aren't accesible to me.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 2 days ago

It's dangerous. I don't know about you, but I value my life over penny pinching.