An electric cargo truck with a liftgate for just $4,000? Sign me up!
Liftgate trucks are the workhorses of the delivery industry, combining heavy-hauling capacity with the ability to load or unload at street level instead of needing a loading dock. When I occasionally buy the weird Alibaba vehicles that I’ve become known for, I always have to ask the delivery company, “Do you guys have a lift gate truck to deliver at my house?” But perhaps I’d be set if I bought my own cheap electric liftgate truck instead.
It’s not the weirdest thing we’ve ever featured in the weekly Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week column, but it sure is awesome!
This may look like the kind of vehicle you’d expect to be delivering your Alibaba purchases, but it could actually BE your Alibaba purchase instead.
With a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) capacity, you could haul a lot of stuff with a truck like this. The vendor lists it as a garbage truck, but I think that’s painting this little guy into a box. What I see is 4.1 meters (13.5 feet) of raw, unadulterated potential!
A lift gate truck is the force multiplier of the logistics world, and it could all be yours for a mere $4,000. Or at least, that’s before shipping, taxes, customs tariffs, broker fees, arrival charges, port warehousing and domestic trucking. Or wait, maybe you won’t need to pay for that pesky trucking to your home – you can just drive it out of the container at the port!
Granted you might find the truck’s power and speed to be a bit limiting. There’s just a 5,000W motor in this thing, equivalent to nearly 7 horsepower. But what it lacks in raw power it makes up for in… moderate speed? Ok, so the 30 km/h (18 mph) top speed isn’t exactly going to win you any friends when traffic backs up behind you, but perhaps the first few victims will enjoy the view of this quirky-looking truck.
The range is a bit better at 70 km (43 miles) per charge, but it’s frankly not knocking my socks off. So I’ll concede that the performance isn’t exactly the most impressive we’ve seen before. But this truck isn’t about raw power or speed, it’s about capacity. And when you’re not hauling cargo, you may be able to moonlight as a people mover. The spec sheet lists the passenger capacity as “211 persons”, which is either a typo or an indication that western-style seating is not a feature that comes included standard. We may be looking at a “standing room only” kind of situation.
But that’s not all! You’ll also find that the feature list includes such gems as a CD player, reverse buzzer, drum brakes and non-slip floormats!
Something tells me this won’t be the next vehicle in my growing stable of weird electric rides from China, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have real value in many areas. The slow speed will be limiting, but it could be great as a work truck for around job sites, large campuses or other industrial areas.
And with the ballooning size of trucks in the US, perhaps a weird little electric liftgate truck is exactly what we need right now.
What do you think? Could you see yourself behind the wheel of this odd little truck? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Tesla is going to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston, according to a tax abatement agreement with Waller County.
At the time of writing, Tesla had yet to comment on the new project, but the Waller County Commissioners Court confirmed the project on Wednesday when they approved a tax abatement deal with the company:
Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements from Waller County based on property improvements. The deal includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment that Tesla will install. The next phase involves a new $31 million distribution facility with about $2 million in Tesla distribution equipment and building upgrades.
Tesla is going to take over a 1-million-sq-ft building that it already held the lease on at the Empire West industrial park near Katy, Texas – just outside of Houston.
Logistics company DB Schenker occupied the space where it handled parts for Tesla, but it will move out and Tesla plans to build Megapack production lines at the site:
Tesla will operate a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility at a 1 million-square-foot building, which was initially constructed with no tenant on speculation that it would attract jobs and economic development.
Tesla has previously referred to plants producing Megapacks as “Megafactory”. The company already operates one in Lathrop, California, and one in Shanghai, China, where it just started production.
Those factories are set up for a production capacity of 40 GWh worth of Megapacks per year.
It’s not clear if Tesla plans for a similar capacity at this new factory, but the county announced project should result in creating 1,500 jobs.
In addition to the existing building, the project will include the construction of an additional “600,000-square-foot distribution facility with some manufacturing capabilities.”
Unlike its automotive business, Tesla’s energy business has been growing at an impressive pace – although prices and margins have come down last year.
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![Is Genesis taking notes from Porsche? New GV60 Magma caught with the Taycan [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Genesis-GV60-Magma-Porsche-2.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Genesis is gearing up to unleash its alter ego with its upcoming Magma lineup, its debut into the world of high-performance luxury vehicles. First up is the Genesis GV60 Magma, due out later this year. As testing wraps up, the GV60 Magma was spotted alongside none other than the Porsche Taycan.
The first dedicated Genesis EV model, the GV60, will kick off another new chapter for the Korean luxury automaker.
Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma last March, claiming it will kick off “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.” The performance EV includes an improved battery, chassis, and motor for added performance.
The Magma model boasts a wider, lower stance for more control. Other key upgrades include a wider front air intake to help cool the batteries, motor, and brakes. It also includes air curtains to maximize efficiency and an added roof fin channels air to the rear wing, generating downward force.
Genesis upgraded the interior to match the GV60 Magma’s luxurious, sporty design. It includes unique sports car-like bucket seats with exclusive “double-diamond stitching” in the Magma orange and titanium coloring.
Genesis GV60 Magma spotted with the Porsche Taycan
With its official debut coming up, the sporty Genesis GV60 Magma was spotted testing alongside a Porsche Taycan and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 N models.
Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia reveals a few new design elements, like the two-line headlight featured on the updated GV60 model.
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in its home market, followed by the US, Europe, and others. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025.
Will the Genesis GV60 Magma keep up with the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid? Priced and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but it will sit above the Performance AWD trim, which starts at $69,900 in the US. With up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
| Horsepower | 0 to 60 mph (seconds) |
Starting Price | |
| Genesis GV60 Performance | 429 | 3.7 | $69,900 |
| Genesis GV60 Magma | ? | ? | ? |
| Porsche Taycan | 402 | 4.5 | $99,400 |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (with Weissach Package) |
1,092 | 2.1 | $230,000 |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | 1,020 | 1.99 | $89,990 |
In comparison, the Porsche Taycan starts at $99,400 with up to 402 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with its Weissach package, packs 1,092 hp for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 2.1 seconds, but it costs $230,000.
Tesla’s Model S Plaid starts at $79,990 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with 1,020 horsepower. Which performance EV are you choosing?
Source: CarSpyMedia
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