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Oops, I did it again. I found a cool electric vehicle online while browsing China’s largest shopping platform, and I had to get one. The only problem is I somehow ended up with a container full of them this time. This is the story of how a pile of awesome electric construction equipment ended up in my yard.

Earlier this year I was cruising through Alibaba looking at all the electric construction equipment. My parents have a small ranch in Florida and we were looking for some type of tractor or loader for some general around the property use.

If you know me, you’ll know I’m pretty big into EVs as work vehicles due to the lower operating cost, near-zero maintenance, and a whole host of other reasons. The biggest problem though is that electric tractors and heavy machinery are extremely expensive.

Machines like Monarch’s electric tractor are priced at nearly US $100,000. There are cheaper alternatives like the Solectrac with a front loader for closer to US $35,000, but that’s still more than I was looking to spend for backyard machinery, even if it’s a fairly large 10-acre backyard.

I also decided a wheel loader was a better direction than a pure tractor since we don’t need the crazy torque of a tractor. We aren’t plowing fields, but rather doing more general and diverse heavy-lift jobs. That means the extreme versatility of an articulating wheel loader would be better for us. With a wheel loader, you get something that can function like a tractor for light jobs, but also has a bucket for moving dirt, can work as a forklift, post driller, excavator, etc.

Other diesel-powered loaders of the size I was looking for seem to start at close to US $45,000, with electric models being basically non-existent until you get into the massive machines used by construction companies and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

So that’s how I ended up turning to China, as I have in the past to find cool electric vehicles that I can’t find in the West.

This story is about to end up with me rigging a 20,000 lb container to a massive crane

I found a couple of interesting machines, one rated for 880 lb (400 kg) of lifting capacity and another larger version rated for 1440 lb (650 kg) of lifting capacity. They were priced at roughly $5k and $8k respectively, though I knew those prices wouldn’t stick. The “real” price on all of these Alibaba machines is always much higher. My Chinese electric mini-truck was advertised at $2,000, but it cost me around $8,000 in total to land it in my driveway. The 400% markup was almost identical on my electric boat, which started at just over $1,000 but ended up costing me closer to $4,000 with all of the shipping, customs, etc.

Ocean freight has come down a bit since I got those, so I was hoping to get out of this for a bit less than 4x the advertised price. But even if not, it would still be much less than the cost of an equivalent machine in the US.

I was starting to fret about deciding between the smaller and larger loaders, since the smaller would probably be sufficient but that big boy was looking mighty enticing. Ultimately, the factory made the decision for me. Unlike the things I’ve bought in the past, they wouldn’t sell a single unit. They only sold by the container. Gulp.

If I wanted one of the kids, I was going to have to take the whole family.

I’ve never imported a full container of weird things before. I’ve always bought my odd Chinese vehicles by the unit. This was going to be a bigger show than I was expecting when I first got into it.

Finally, I decided I would bite the bullet and get a container of them with the hope of just selling the extras. It took some convincing with the wife, but we’ve been together long enough for her to know that twinkle in my eye when she sees it. It’s worked out well enough in the past (most of the time), so what’s one more gamble?

electric wheel loader

It was quite a gamble, let me tell you. The process took months. Many. Frustrating. Months.

The fun part was spec’ing my machines, of which I set myself up with three smaller units and one big boy, which tightly filled a 20 ft container. I also figured that if I’m already sending a container, I might as well fill up the empty air space with some more goodies. To do that, I added in some accessories like pallet forks, augers, excavator arms, etc.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

From there, it turned into a longer and more drawn-out process than I had expected. The manufacturing time ballooned. The customs paperwork was confusing and seemingly endless. I had to figure out my own logistics for once the container got to the port in Miami. It’s not like you can just ask a friend with a truck to grab your 20,000 lb container. I had to somehow get that big container several hundred miles inland to the family’s ranch.

I also discovered that there was going to be a major unloading problem due to us not having a loading dock on the ranch. There wouldn’t be a way to get the loaders out unless they would be ok with a nearly 5 foot drop driving out the back of a container chassis truck. (They would not.)

Plus, with the amount it would cost me to get a container chassis truck to deliver the container, wait while I unload the machines, then return the container to the port, I could just about buy the whole freaking container myself. And so that’s what I did.

That actually solved the delivery issue since I didn’t have to figure out how to get the machines out of a container sitting so high up on the back of a truck. Instead, I just had the whole container dropped on the property so I could drive them right out the door onto the ground.

And that’s how I did it, though it did require one more added expense of a crane to lower the container down. You can see all the details in the unboxing and testing video I made.

That was unloading day, which happened many long months after I started this whole thing. How many months, exactly? Well, I wrote the original article where I found the machines back in January, and now it’s November. You do the math.

The good news is that the machines were finally here! Unloading wasn’t a cakewalk but went decently well. The machines could have been secured better but were mostly fine. Upon first cracking open the container door, one machine was slightly askew with a tire six inches up the container wall, but it was sitting there happily, at least.

I’m guessing somewhere along the journey, a bump to the container bounced one machine up and the tire caught on the wall. Fortunately it seemed fine and I just wiggled the steering wheel to drop the tire back down.

I drove the machines out and managed to drag the attachments out as well. Once I got the various attachments to the lip of the container with muscle power, I actually used lifting straps and the pallet fork attachment on one of the loaders to carry them out. Each weighs several hundred pounds so it was a good time to have a loader.

electric loader

My first tests with the machines were on some fresh mulch, and boy, was it fun!

You know how you played with those Tonka trucks in the sandbox as a kid? It’s literally the exact same fun feeling when you have your own life-sized versions, even if they’re mini-machines themselves.

Wielding a third of a cubic yard of mulch over your head with just the slight flick of your wrist is a fun feeling!

electric mini-loader

Next, I wanted to try out some of the attachments. I started with the digger attachment since an excavator was the next machine on my list that I wanted.

Mini-excavators cost around $15,000-$25,000 for an imported diesel-powered machine. Electric mini-excavators are rare but can run closer to $75,000-$100,000.

If I could turn my electric loader into an electric excavator for less than $2,000, that’d be a huge score! I knew it wouldn’t match the capabilities of a dedicated excavator, but if I could dig a hole several feet deep, I’d call that a success.

The digger attachment mounts in place of the loader’s bucket, and it’s easy to swap on since I made sure to spec the machine with a hydraulic quick hitch to release and mount attachments directly from the cab. You don’t even have to get out of your chair. Well, at least not for the manual tools like the buckets, pallet forks, etc. In the case of the digger, it has a hydraulic feature for curling the digger bucket, so I had to hop out and manually connect the hydraulic lines.

From there, it was time to dig a hole. And by golly, it works! It only has a dig depth of around 3-4 feet (approximately 1 meter), but that’s enough for a lot of tasks like planting trees, digging trenches, etc. It won’t dig down 6-10 feet (2-3 meters) like a larger dedicated excavator, but I’m not digging a basement here.

For most everyday tasks that you’d use a shovel for, you’re probably not digging more than 4 feet deep. And so this is basically a powered shovel that saves a lot of back-breaking labor. It’s going to make planting trees on the property a lot easier from now on, that’s for sure!

Next, I wanted to try the auger. It’s basically a large drill that can be used for putting in fence posts, mailboxes, trees, or other tasks where you’d want to drill a big, deep hole in the world beneath you.

And again, the dang thing worked perfectly. It mounts just like the digger and is hydraulically powered. In less than a minute I had a clean, deep hole that was perfect for a fence post.

The entire process was super quiet, too. In fact, my dad and I used the machines for a pile of tasks, such as propping back up the little roof over our well that blew over in the last hurricane. It’s a few hundred pounds and nearly 10 feet (3 meters) tall, so the larger loader with the forks was great for hoisting it into place.

articulating wheel loader

Carrying other things like telephone poles, tree branches, water cisterns, and just about everything else was suddenly much more convenient.

We could even pair the loaders with my electric mini-truck for our own mini work site.

Man, this is getting more and more like a backyard childhood sandbox.

The charging process is surprisingly similar to an electric bike. They don’t require an electric vehicle charging station, but rather just have their own charging brick. You plug one end into a 110V AC outlet and the other into the loader.

Charging reportedly takes around 6-7 hours from empty, though I avoided running them totally empty since it’s not great for the SLA batteries.

Oh right, the batteries. So I would have loved to have lithium-ion batteries here for the longer lifespan, but there were a couple of downsides.

For one, the huge 9 kWh and 14.4 kWh SLA packs on the smaller and larger machines actually help serve as ballast in the rear, increasing the load rating that each machine can lift. Second, those big packs would have been even more expensive as lithium-ion batteries.

Another advantage of AGM SLA batteries is you can find them from probably a hundred different suppliers in the US. One day when these packs finally crap out, I won’t have to wonder where to get replacements. I can just get any big 12V bricks and string them together. It’s only slightly more complicated (and heavier) than changing a car battery.

loader lifing crate

As it stands, these things weren’t cheap. With all in for the four loaders, shipping, customs, transportation, and the attachments, I figure I’ve got nearly $50k worth of equipment in that container. Which is why I’m going to have to sell three of those things, even though it’s fun to have what looks like my own construction company with all of these machines hanging around.

Speaking of that though, this whole process has actually led me to realize that there really should be a company in the US for this kind of stuff. Electric mini-construction vehicles like these are so useful for small businesses, hobby farms, wineries, and other users that don’t need a massive Caterpillar backhoe or John Deere machine. For many individuals and small operators, a 5-ton and $100,000 piece of equipment is simply overkill. Smaller machines like these are more useful and more accessible for many folks.

And so that’s what I’m working on now. I’m getting set up to actually offer these things in the US, and be able to support them so people don’t have to take a risk ordering something from halfway around the world before being left out to dry on a machine with no support or warranty. If you want to learn more about it, check out my new site, Nesher Equipment. I’m actually going to start by selling three of these machines, since I never planned on keeping them… and can’t really afford to hang onto four loaders when we only need one for use on our property.

One day, I believe that most construction equipment will be electric. For now, that day still seems pretty far down the road, at least in the US. But maybe I can help some of us get there just a bit sooner.

loader lineup

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RadExpand 5 Plus and RadWagon 5 e-bikes $200 off, exclusive $3,297 savings on three Anker SOLIX BP3800 expansion batteries, much more

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May 23, 2025

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RadExpand 5 Plus and RadWagon 5 e-bikes 0 off, exclusive ,297 savings on three Anker SOLIX BP3800 expansion batteries, much more

With Memorial Day on the horizon, we’re giving you a more jam-pack Green Deals to close out this week, with a spotlight being returned on Rad Power’s Memorial Day Sale that is seeing the first discounts on its newest models, this time focusing on the RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike at $1,699 and the RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike at $2,199. We’ve also secured a massive $3,297 in savings on three Anker SOLIX BP3800 Expansion Batteries at a new $4,200 low, while spotting Velotric increasing savings on its Nomad 1 Plus and Summit 1 All-Terrain e-bikes, starting from $1,399. There’s also a $1,300 discount on Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo Electric Ventless Heat Pump Washer/Dryer that starts from $1,900 through Memorial Day, as well as a one-day-only sale on Anker’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L Dual-Zone Electric Cooler that is returning it to its $800 pre-sale low for the first time. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s full Rad Power Memorial Day Sale coverage, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Run errands and more on Rad’s new RadExpand 5 Plus and RadWagon 5 e-bikes with first discounts from $1,699

Yesterday, Rad Power Bikes launched its Memorial Day Sale that is offering up to $500 discounts on several e-bikes, some of which are the brand’s newer models that are getting their first discounts through Memorial Day weekend only. Alongside the Radster Road and Trail e-bikes, we’re also seeing two other new models getting these flash savings, starting with the RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike for $1,699 shipped. It’s keeping down off its $1,899 tag for only a few more days, with the only savings we’ve seen on this model so far being a free accessory tacked on during select sales. The $200 markdown is setting the stage for what we can expect down the road in future sales, giving you the best opportunity yet to hop aboard the latest of the brand’s space-saving utility models, alongside the new RadRunner Cargo Utility options that recently launched.

Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 Plus e-bike arrives as the latest generation of the brand’s space-saving folding models, condensing down to 29 inches high by 25 inches wide by 41 inches long and weighing in at 72.5 pounds in full and 62.5 pounds with the battery removed. It’s been equipped with a 750W rear hub motor and a 720Wh battery that pair together in order to deliver 20 MPH top speeds for up to 60+ miles with its 5 pedal assist levels activated (which also offer a zero-assist option and are supported by a torque sensor). As an updated model, it comes with plenty of notable features like the hydraulic suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tires with fenders, the rear cargo rack, an LED headlight, an integrated taillight with brake lighting, a color display with a USB-C port to charge devices, and plenty more.

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And for folks looking for something with even more cargo-hauling power, you can grab the RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike for $2,199 shipped, down from $2,399 while the flash savings last through the upcoming holiday. It comes with a similar 750W motor and 720Wh battery pairing that gives it an increased 60+ miles of travel over its predecessor, with the top speed also increased up to 28 MPH. This model has also traded in the cadence sensor for a superior torque sensor that lends towards its hauling capabilities, which can also take inclines much better. It shares many of the same stock features as the above model, with certain obvious differences like the increased rear cargo rack payload, among others.

Rad Power’s Memorial Day new e-bike deals (through May 26):

And to check out the full lineup of deals that include the three legacy models seeing discounts, while also getting the rundown on what makes up the Radster e-bikes, be sure to check out our original coverage of Rad Power’s Memorial Day Sale here. You can also find tons of other e-bike sales through the holiday from Lectric, Ride1Up, Aventon, Velotric, Heybike, Segway, and many more in our Ride to Work EV hub.

Anker SOLIX BP3800 expansion batteries

Expand your Anker SOLIX F3800 setup with exclusive $3,297 in savings on three expansion batteries at $4,200 low

We’ve secured a special exclusive, and expansive bundle discount from Wellbots on three Anker SOLIX BP3800 Expansion Batteries for $4,200 shipped, after using the code 9TO5BP600 at checkout. This bundle starts from a $5,697 price tag here, which is where Anker currently has this same package discounted to from a higher $7,497 MSRP. All-in-all, with our code, you’re getting $1,497 off the going rate at Wellbots and $3,297 in total savings from the direct MSRP. This is the lowest price we have tracked for this sizeable bundle, ultimately giving you each battery at $1,400 each.

Compatible with either the Anker SOLIX F3800 or F3800 Plus power stations, each of these BP3800 LiFePO4 expansion batteries carries and adds 3,840Wh to your existing setup while also boasting some backup power support for charging devices with its multiple AC, USB-A, and USB-C ports, should you ever choose to rely just on it and not the power station itself. All together, your F3800 setup will gain an additional 11,520Wh capacity, putting you in the higher-end range of serious home backup power capabilities, as long as you have the appropriate transfer switch or Smart Home Panel 2 to connect it to your circuit breaker. They each come rated for 3,000 life cycles and for a 10-year lifespan, though that can easily be extended were you to utilize them more sparingly than every single day.

We also still have another exclusive low price active on the Bluetti AC200PL 2,304Wh LiFePO4 Power Station for $899, with there being no sign as to just when it will end.

Velotric Nomad 1 Plus all-terrain e-bike

Travel any terrain with up to $500 savings on Velotric’s Nomad 1 Plus and Summit 1 e-bikes starting from $1,399

Velotric has increased savings on two e-bikes during the remaining time of its Bike Month/Memorial Day Sale through May 26, with the biggest of these savings being on the Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike that is now down at $1,399 shipped. This model normally goes for $1,899 at full price, with it having started this sale at $1,499 and the additional $100 markdown landing it back at the second-lowest price we have tracked. All-in-all, you’ll be saving $500 off the going rate, which only sits $100 above the low that we last saw during Black Friday. Head below for more on this and the other model seeing increased savings.

Upgraded from its original variant last year, Velotric’s Nomad 1 Plus e-bike is the go-anywhere option from the brand, outfitted for off-road ventures with features like puncture-resistant fat tires, a hydraulic suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, and an IPX6 waterproof build. It sports a 750W motor (peaking at 1,200W) paired with a removable 691Wh battery, which work together to provide 55 miles of travel with its five PAS levels at up to 28 MPH top speeds. You can also cruise on pure electric power via the throttle at a limited mileage. Alongside the other features already listed, you’ll find a Shimano 8-speed derailleur, fenders over both tires, an integrated LED headlight, a taillight with a braking indicator, and a 3.5-inch backlit LCD display with USB port to charge your devices as you ride. There’s also the on-page 30% discounts for other add-on accessories too.

The second of these savings is hitting the Summit 1 Multi-Terrain e-bike, bringing it down from its $1,999 full price to $1,899 shipped. A more advanced all-terrain counterpart to the above model, it sports many similar features like the 750W motor, though it does have a larger 705.6Wh battery, giving you the same top speeds with an increased range up to 70 miles. It has more pedal assist options, with three modes and five levels, while also sporting a dual torque/cadence sensor that you can switch between depending on just where you are and what kind of terrain you’ll be riding through. The rougher rides are smoothed out by the 120mm hydraulic front suspension fork that also gets added support from the hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tires, and IPX6 protection. There’s many similar features as the Nomad 1 Plus, but this model definitely takes a step further with smart features like Apple Find My.

Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry Combo ventless heat pump washer/dryer

Samsung Bespoke AI Combo electric ventless washer/dryer $1,300 off, now $1,900 for Memorial Day

As part of Samsung’s Memorial Day Sale, the brand is offering its Bespoke AI Laundry Combo Electric Ventless Heat Pump Washer/Dryer for $1,999 shipped alongside up to $298 in additional savings you can score too. This eco-friendly unit normally goes for $3,299 at full price, with most of the discounts we usually see taking things down around $2,199, though we have seen it go as low as $1,899 from Samsung and $1,700 at other retailers – the latter pricing having only popped up during last year’s Christmas sales. You can also save a bit more going with the open-box option at $1,520 on the same page, or we also spotted it going for $1,900 from Best Buy right now too, though keep in mind you won’t be getting any chances at additional savings and the price will increase there based on installation, haul-away, and other needs/services. Head below for more on this model, the extra savings opportunities, and other discounted laundry appliances.

So what are these extra savings you can score? Well, to start, you can get up to $100 in instant trade-in credit. There’s also two Samsung Care+ plan options you can go with – the first being a 3-year plan ($200 value) at $1 or you can get a 5-year plan ($699 value) at $30. For all these savings, decisions can be made on the washer/dryer’s main landing page here.

Coming to you ENERGY STAR-certified, Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo puts both your washing and drying needs into one convenient unit that not only saves space or allows you to double up for faster laundry turn-around, but also comes supported by AI for easier systems management and increased energy efficiency. One such way it does so is by identifying fabrics placed inside and automatically adjusting its settings for the ideal washing and drying cycles. That AI can also calculate and estimate electricity costs to “reduce energy usage by up to 19%,” with a bunch of other eco-conscious performance features, as well as the obvious ventless design that allows for it to be placed virtually anywhere without needing a dedicated exhaust vent.

What I really love about these types of washer/dryers is the large capacity detergent tank that holds up to 47 loads worth so you don’t have to constantly have to add anything in between loads. On top of this there’s also the Flex One compartment that allows that capacity to be divided for 25 loads of detergent and 34 loads of softener. There’s also the self-cleaning and self-drying tech to ensure everything going in comes out fresh, as well as an auto-open door, smart controls through the SmartThings app, hands-free voice controls, the EPA’s seal of approval, and more.

During this sale, you’ll also find Samsung’s newest appliance release, the vented Bespoke AI Laundry Combo variant down at $2,499 shipped from its full $3,099 price tag. You’ll be getting all the same AI support, performance specs, and extra savings options here, minus the ventless design of the above model.

You can check out more of Samsung’s Memorial Day Sale appliance offers on the landing page here.

Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L electric cooler

For today only, grab Anker’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L dual-zone electric cooler back at its $800 low

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is returning the best pricing on the new Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L Dual-Zone Electric Cooler through the rest of the day for $799.99 shipped. It’s been carrying a $1,100 price tag since it was released in March, with this being the first time we’ve seen the pre-sale pricing return post-launch. It’s undercutting Anker’s Memorial Sale by $50, but will only last for 13 hours more before its gone. Taking advantage of the savings puts $300 back in your pocket and gives you the latest ice-free cooling tech from the brand at the best price we have tracked. You can learn more about this model below or by checking out our hands-on review here.

The largest of Anker’s two available sizes for this new generation of coolers, the SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L model sports the dual-zone compartments that allow you to refrigerate and freeze your perishables at the same time, whereas the smaller-sized model only provides the option to choose one over the other. Cooldown times have been decreased thanks to the air-cooled system replacing the previous generation’s direct cooling. The unit comes with one 288Wh removable battery, with a second port to add another one should you purchase it separately elsewhere. With two batteries connected, Anker claims that you can get up to 104 hours of continuous runtime when its set to its eco mode for battery conservation.

These batteries can also provide additional backup power support for your devices when not running the cooler, as they have a 60W USB-C or a 12W USB-A port for versatility. You’ll have four ways to recharge them (AC outlet, solar charging, car port charging, USB-C charging), and they’ll be protected when inside the cooler by its IPX3 water-resistant construction. There’s other nice little features too, like the 6-inch wheels for semi-rough terrain, a built-in bottle opener, a fold-down tray that also functions as a pull-along handle, and mounting points for the brand’s add-on accessories. Get a full rundown in our hands-on review.

If you would prefer going with the smaller EverFrost 2 unit or want to go ahead and grab this dual-zone model with two batteries or more, be sure to check out our coverage of Anker’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 Memorial Day Sale deals here.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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BYD’s new Seal 06 EV leaks with 375 miles range

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3 hours ago

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May 23, 2025

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BYD's new Seal 06 EV leaks with 375 miles range

BYD-Seal-06-EV
BYD Seal 06 EV (Source: China MIIT)

BYD’s new electric SUV is about the size of a Tesla Model Y, but it’s expected to cost much less. The Seal 06 leaked in China this week, giving us a closer look at the new BYD EV, which is set to arrive later this year.

Meet the new BYD Seal 06 EV

Another day, another BYD electric car is surfacing. We knew it was coming soon after China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) revealed a regulatory filing last month.

Now, we are getting a better idea of what to expect when it arrives, with new information surfacing. China’s MIIT released key specs and a few new images of the Seal 06 this week.

BYD will offer the Seal 06 in both battery electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options. The electric version will be available in three trims. A base model will draw power from a 65.28 kWh battery and 170 kW electric motor, providing up to 520 km (323 miles) CLTC range.

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The extended-range 78.72 kWh battery is rated with a CLTC range of up to 605 km (376 miles). Meanwhile, a more powerful AWD variant includes an additional 110 kW front motor but has slightly less range at 550 km (342 miles).

BYD’s electric SUV is 4,810 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,675 mm tall, or about the same size as the Tesla Model Y.

The new Model Y starts at 263,500 yuan ($36,500) in China. That’s for the base RWD model with a CLTC range of 593 km (368 miles). Upgrading to the Long Range AWD variant with a range of 719 km (447 miles) costs 313,500 yuan ($43,500).

BYD-Seal-06-EV
BYD Seal 06 (Source: BYD)

According to CarNewsChina, BYD is expected to officially launch the Seal 06 in the third quarter of 2025. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but the new SUV will likely start at around 160,000 yuan ($22,000).

BYD is coming off its best sales week of the year with nearly 68,000 vehicles registered in China from May 5 to May 11. Tesla, on the other hand, had just over 3,000.

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Tesla Full Self-Driving veers off road, flips car in scary crash driver couldn’t prevent

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5 hours ago

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May 23, 2025

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Tesla Full Self-Driving veers off road, flips car in scary crash driver couldn't prevent

Tesla Full Self-Driving crash upside down hero

A Tesla vehicle on the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised update suddenly veered off road and flipped the car upside down – creating a scary crash that the driver said he couldn’t prevent.

We have seen many crashes involving Tesla’s Supervised FSD over the years, but the vast majority of them have a major contributing factor in common: the driver is not paying attention or is not ready to take control.

A common crash scenario with Tesla FSD is that the vehicle doesn’t see an obstacle on the road, like a vehicle, and crashes into it, even though the driver would have had time to react if they were paying enough attention.

Despite its name, Full Self-Driving (FSD) is still considered a level 2 driver assist system and is not fully self-driving. It requires drivers to stay attentive at all times and for them to be ready to take control – hence while Tesla has more recently added ‘Supervised’ to the name.

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According to Tesla, the driver is always responsible in a crash, even if FSD is activated.

The automaker has implemented driver monitoring systems to ensure drivers’ attention, but it is gradually relaxing those.

Just today, Tesla released a post on X in which it said drivers just have to “lean back and watch the road” when using FSD:

Sitting back and watching the road was exactly what Wally, a Tesla driver in Alabama, was doing when his car suddenly veered off the road in Toney, Alabama, earlier this year.

Wally leased a brand new 2025 Tesla Model 3 with FSD and understood that he needed to pay attention. When talking with Electrek yesterday, he said that he would regularly use the feature:

I used FSD every chance I could get I actually watched YouTube videos to tailor my FSD settings and experience. I was happy it could drive me to Waffle House and I could just sit back and relax while it would drive me on my morning commute to work.

Two months ago, he was driving to work on Tesla Full Self-Driving when his car suddenly swerved off the road. He shared the Tesla camera video of the crash:

Wally told Electrek that he didn’t have time to react even though he was paying attention:

I was driving to work had Full Self-Driving on. The oncoming car passed, and the wheel started turning rapidly, driving into the ditch, and side-swiping the tree, and the car flipped over. I did not have any time to react.

The car ended up flipping upside down from the crash:

Fortunately, Wally only suffered a relatively small chin injury from the accident, but it was a scary experience:

My chin split open, and I had to get 7 stitches. After the impact, I was hanging upside down watching blood drip down to the glass sun roof, not knowing where I was bleeding from. I unbuckled my seatbelt and sat on the fabric interior in the middle of the two front seats, and saw that my phone’s crash detection went off and told me the first responders were on their way. My whole body was in shock from the incident.

The Tesla driver said that one of the neighbors came out of their house to make sure he was okay and the local Firefighters arrived to get him out of the upside-down Model 3.

Wally said he was on Tesla FSD v13.2.8 on Hardware 4, Tesla’s latest FSD technology. He requested that Tesla send him the data from his car to better understand what happened.

Electrek’s Take

This is where Tesla FSD gets really scary. I get that Tesla admits that FSD can make mistakes at the worst possible moment and that the driver needs to pay attention at all times.

The idea is that if you pay attention, you can correct those mistakes, which is true most of the time, but not always.

In this case, the driver had less than a second to react, and even if he had reacted, it might have made things worse, like correcting, but not enough to get back on the road and hit the tree head-on instead.

In cases like this one, it’s hard to put the blame on the driver. He was doing exactly what Tesla says you should do: “lean back and watch the road.”

A very similar thing happened to me last year when my Model 3 on FSD veered to the left, trying to take an emergency exit on the highway for no reason. I was able to take control in time, but it created a dangerous situation as I almost overcorrected into a vehicle in the right lane.

In Wally’s case, it’s unclear what happened. It’s possible that FSD believed it was about to hit something because of the shadows on the ground. Here’s the view from the front-facing camera, a fraction of a second before FSD veered to the left:

But it’s just speculation at this time.

Either way, I think Tesla has a problem with complacency with FSD where its drivers are starting to pay less attention on FSD – leading to some crashes, but there are also these even scarier crashes that appear to be 100% caused by FSD with very little to no opportunity for the drivers to prevent them.

That’s even scarier.

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