Safety concerns stemming from the size and age of the small vehicles have led to individual states imposing restrictions

Source: ars technica

Japanese Kei cars, known for their compact size and efficiency, are a real contrast to the large SUVs that dominate American roads. These small vehicles, governed by strict regulations in Japan that limit their size, weight, and power, have become a popular option for those seeking affordable and simplistic alternatives to modern cars. Their appeal in Japan as low-cost, efficient vehicles has extended beyond the country’s borders, leading to a significant interest in importing these cars into the United States.

Kei cars have gained a niche following in the U.S., particularly among enthusiasts who appreciate their minimalistic design and practicality. However, despite their popularity, these vehicles have come under increasing scrutiny from state authorities, resulting in a growing number of bans that restrict their use on American roads.

At the federal level, U.S. regulations allow the importing of vehicles that are over 25 years old without requiring them to meet modern federal motor vehicle safety or fuel economy standards. This loophole has made it possible for Kei cars to be imported and used in the U.S., provided all import duties are paid. However, it is the responsibility of individual states to regulate the use of these vehicles on public roads, and many states are beginning to take a hard stance against them.

Several states have imposed restrictions on Kei cars, particularly Kei trucks, often limiting their use to farm work or prohibiting them from being driven on highways. For instance, states like Alabama and Arkansas allow these vehicles under certain conditions, such as enforcing speed restrictions or banning highway usage. On the other hand, states like Georgia, Maine, and New York have implemented outright bans, refusing to register Kei cars for road use. Recently, Massachusetts joined this trend, going as far as publishing a list of specific Kei models that are no longer eligible for registration.

The primary concern driving these bans is safety. Some states classify Kei cars as “off-road vehicles,” arguing that they are unsuitable for public roadways. Others cite the vehicles’ non-compliance with federal safety standards as justification for their exclusion from state roads. These concerns are not unfounded. Kei cars are significantly smaller than even the smallest cars commonly seen on U.S. roads, such as the Mini Cooper or Fiat 500e. Their diminutive size raises serious questions about their crashworthiness, particularly in collisions with the much larger vehicles prevalent in America, such as full-size SUVs and trucks.

The safety risks associated with Kei cars are compounded by the fact that many of these vehicles are at least 25 years old, meaning they lack the advanced safety features found in modern cars. While these cars may perform adequately in the congested and narrow streets of urban Japan, their small size and outdated safety measures make them vulnerable on the vast and high-speed roads of the U.S.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a leading vehicle safety testing organization, has expressed concerns about the use of small, light vehicles like Kei cars on busy public roads. Although the IIHS has not crash-tested Kei cars specifically, its stance is clear: vehicles that do not conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) should not be allowed to mix with regular traffic, as they pose significant safety risks.

While Kei cars offer an intriguing alternative for those seeking simplicity and efficiency, their growing popularity in the U.S. is being met with increasing resistance from state regulators. The safety concerns surrounding these vehicles, coupled with their non-compliance with modern standards, have led to a wave of state-level bans. As more states move to restrict or outright prohibit Kei cars, the future of these unique imports on American roads appears increasingly uncertain.