841
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] ssj2marx@lemmy.ml 109 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I would love a Kei truck, but I don't live in a state where you can legally have one. That said I really think that if a Japanese manufacturer brought a barebones electric Kei to the American market they could make a killing because "people who want a truck but not a massive truck" is a totally unserved market segment.

[-] BlitzoTheOisSilent@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

Kei trucks have the same, if not slightly bigger/smaller, bed size as a modern F-150. But they're basically the size of Honda Fits.

I've wanted one since I worked for USPS and learned to drive on the right side of a vehicle. My state does allow you to register them and drive them on the road, but alas, I cannot afford one. :(

[-] John_McMurray@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Kei trucks only can carry like 800 pounds. I run a bar and regularly take my pickup truck, a 2500, to its bed capacity of roughly 3000 lbs. I've had it sitting low just in empties before. A Kei truck can't even haul my motorcycle if it breaks down. Now someone who's a full time contractor, would call that thing useless, a farmer might buy one instead of a John Deere gator or side by side. It'd be suitable for golf course maintenance.

[-] BlitzoTheOisSilent@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Yep, I'm a contractor, I would absolutely only own one to use for work if I had a big property, and it'd be groundskeeping. Just FYI though, Kei trucks are used as contractor/work trucks in Japan, as are Kei vans.

But your average person's Home Depot trip isn't going to be close to what a contractor would use. And, just like what currently happens, if your vehicle can't handle an outlying circumstance, you either rent one that can or have the materials delivered.

So beyond work applications, and towing which most people don't need the size vehicle they have for what they're towing, modern pickup trucks are oversized and unnecessary for probably 95% of people.

[-] John_McMurray@lemmy.world -5 points 1 week ago

ten sheets of 3/4 inch plywood is pushing the capacity of a Kei. That's right in the middle of homeowner use.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (51 replies)
this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2024
841 points (98.2% liked)

Technology

55431 readers
3525 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS