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electric mini-truck

In what could either be a sign of the times or perhaps the start of a terrible decision-making chain, that famous $2,000 electric mini-truck I bought from China several years ago has somehow gotten even cheaper.

If you aren’t already familiar with the story, here’s a quick summary. Back in 2021, I ordered an electric mini-truck from China. I paid the factory $2,000 for it, held my breath for months, and then against all odds, it showed up one day in my family’s driveway in the US.

I made a few videos about my Chinese mini-truck that got tens of millions of views, famous YouTubers like Whistlin’ Diesel and Supercar Blondie reached out to me to try to get me to help them rip off my video on their own channels, and the story seemed to circle the world several times over. I even wound up on the state-sponsored news in China – a profoundly strange accomplishment that I probably won’t be adding to my CV anytime soon.

For those wondering, yes, my electric mini-truck is still going strong over three years later. Nothing has broken and my modifications have only made it better.

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mini truck solar panel

But the strangest part of all might be that, despite the current trends of rapid inflation and a climate of rising costs mixed with antagonistic tariffs, this electric mini-truck has only become more affordable.

When I bought mine, I paid around US $2,000 to the factory. I’m known to occassionaly peruse Chinese vehicle sites in search of good deals I would be ill-advised to take, and recently I’ve seen prices walking downwards on these little trucks. Now you can buy one for barely over $1,000!

A BIG CAVEAT BEFORE CONTINUING: Dear reader, please note that I am not advising anyone to actually buy one of these. It is a really bad idea. First of all, the Chinese factory price is only the first part of the story. As I described previously, I had to pay around $6,000 in additional costs at various stages before a working truck landed in the US, covering everything from customs to tariffs to US-side transport to a big lithium battery and more. The 400% price increase compared to the Alibaba price that I experienced here is a common real-world landed price estimator, but even that can vary wildly depending on the product. Then there’s the next big issue, that these things are questionably legal. I always advise people against doing what I did, and unfortunately, I’ve still heard from a few readers who reached out to tell me that US Customs seized their mini-truck when they tried to import one like mine. These are 100% not street-legal according to federal motor vehicle laws, and if CBP makes the arbitrary decision that it is “intended” for street use (which is a fair argument to make considering they usually come with turn signals, street tires, and other road-ready features), they can simply seize it at the port. Lastly (as if this bad idea needed more support), you have no guarantee that it will even ever ship to you since many of these vendors are unknown entities that offer almost zero legal recourse from half a world away. So please, please, please don’t read this article and leave with the impression of “Wow, I’m going to buy a cheap $1,000 truck,” because you’re not. You’re either going to get scammed, robbed by customs, or end up with a very expensive “$1,000 truck.” Treat the words in this poor excuse for journalism as educational only, because that’s what it is, if you can even call it that.

electric mini-truck
I got my mini-truck, but I’m one of the lucky ones. Please don’t try this at home

Ok, so warnings and disclaimers aside, let’s take a look at what these $1,000 trucks offer.

There are many different vendors for these things in China, and most aren’t even the real factory. It’s hard to determine who is really behind the ads selling these things, but most are trading companies that act as middlemen between the Chinese-speaking factories that don’t have a way to serve foreign customers and the rest of the world. Keep in mind, these mini-trucks aren’t meant for export. They’re primarily designed for use in rural parts of China as an upgrade over the tuk-tuk style electric three-wheelers that have been popular for decades.

Most of these electric mini-trucks feature styling ripped off from Western truck companies. Mine seems to have a Silverado-like front end and an F-150ish rear, based purely on styling. A lot of folks like to call mine an F-50. I think that’s being generous.

These are also often fairly barebones affairs. Several of the features you see in the pictures of my truck are things I upgraded myself. I added that tow hitch, the roof-mounted solar panel, the mud tires, and several other features. The truck did come with factory-standard air conditioning and a dump bed, which I had to pay extra for, but those were basically the only extra features I could find.

These are also fairly low performance. The top speed is barely 25 mph (40 km/h) from its 3,000W rear axle-mounted motor. I don’t know what the true range is (because lord help me if it ever dies too far from a plug). With a massive 60V 100Ah battery in it that I paid extra for, it should theoretically have around 60 miles (100 km) of range, but I doubt it would go that far. And anyway, we just use it around my parents’ homestead as a work truck. Since it’s not street-legal, it doesn’t spend a lot of time on the road.

So despite being around a half to two-thirds scale compared to a full-size electric pickup truck, its performance is significantly lower. That’s fine for the type of general “around the property” use we get out of it, but this is far from a highway vehicle.

chang li minitruck mini-truck micah toll

I’ve been pleased as punch with my Chinese electric mini-truck, and it has served my family well for over three years. But that isn’t always the case for everyone who gets one of these.

As you can imagine, a truck that costs barely US $1,000 isn’t going to be the most advanced vehicle. Quality isn’t going to match what you’d expect of nicer machines, and there are basically zero options for service and support. I’ve gotten lucky that nothing has gone wrong on mine, but I also went into this knowing that I’ve got a decade or more of light electric vehicle experience and a mechanical engineering degree to fall back on, in case something ever does go wrong with mine.

Others aren’t so lucky. Case in point: a set of four of these Chinese electric mini trucks imported by Hinds Community College for their campus police to use recently went up for auction in non-functioning status. Based on the description, it looks like the college bought four of these, then they all broke and would no longer turn on. The college couldn’t fix them and so they ended up selling the four of them “as-is” for just over $6,000 total. Maybe the 72V batteries were dead. Maybe the motors had burned out. Maybe they had fried their motor controllers. Or perhaps some wiring connection had merely shaken loose and needed to be reconnected. Who knows? Perhaps the guy who wound up with four non-functional mini-trucks. But the point is, there are not a lot of options for fixing these things yourself without some electrical know-how and a healthy disregard for high-voltage electrical safety.

Hinds Community College recently auctioned off their four non-working Chinese mini-trucks

The spread of these interesting and useful electric mini-trucks is evidence of demand for these types of low-cost, low-impact, yet highly useful tools. However, the incredibly low prices seen advertised on Chinese shopping sites don’t tell the entire story.

So while it’s cool to see prices dropping as low as $1,000 to roll one out of the factory, keep in mind that the true cost is likely to approach five figures, and that doesn’t include the potential for issues down the road. Or I should say, down the trail. Remember, these aren’t street legal… unless you happen to be a community college police department, I guess.

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Environment

EVs are 73% cleaner than gas cars – even with battery production

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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EVs are 73% cleaner than gas cars – even with battery production

2025-Audi-Q4-e-tron
2025 Audi Q4 e-tron (Source: Audi)

Battery electric cars sold today in Europe produce 73% less life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than gas cars, even when factoring in production, according to new research from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). That’s a big improvement from 2021, when the gap was 59%.

Meanwhile, hybrids and plug-in hybrids haven’t made much progress. The study confirms what clean transportation advocates have been saying for years: If Europe wants to seriously slash emissions from its dirtiest mode of transport – ICE passenger cars, which pump out nearly 75% of the sector’s pollution – it needs to go all-in on battery EVs.

“Battery electric cars in Europe are getting cleaner faster than we expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids,” said ICCT researcher Dr. Marta Negri. Credit the continent’s rapid shift to renewables and the higher energy efficiency of EVs.

The makeup of the EU’s power grid is changing fast. By 2025, renewables are expected to generate 56% of Europe’s electricity, up from 38% in 2020. And that’s just the beginning: the share could hit 86% by 2045. Since cars bought today could still be on the road two decades from now, the growing use of clean electricity will only boost EVs’ climate benefits over time.

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Gas-powered cars, on the other hand, will stay mostly tied to fossil fuels as the cost and availability of biofuels and e-fuels are still uncertain.

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids only cut lifetime emissions by 20% and 30%, respectively, compared to gas cars. That’s partly because plug-in hybrids tend to run on gas more than expected. So while hybrids aren’t useless, they’re just not good enough if we’re serious about climate goals.

Countering EV myths with hard data

There’s been a lot of noise lately about whether EVs are really that green. The ICCT study takes aim at the bad data and misleading claims floating around, like ignoring how the grid gets cleaner over time or using unrealistic gas mileage figures.

It’s true that manufacturing EVs creates more emissions upfront – about 40% more than making a gas car, mostly due to the battery. But EVs make up for it quickly: that extra emissions load is usually wiped out after about 17,000 km (10,563 miles) of driving, which most drivers hit in a year or two.

“We’ve recently seen auto industry leaders misrepresenting the emissions math on hybrids,” said Dr. Georg Bieker, senior researcher at the ICCT. “But life-cycle analysis is not a choose-your-own-adventure exercise.”

ICCT’s new analysis includes emissions from vehicle and battery production and recycling, fuel and electricity production, and fuel consumption and maintenance. It even adjusts for how the electricity mix will change in the coming years – a key detail when measuring plug-in hybrid performance.

Read more: Volkswagen’s 47% BEV sales jump includes a 24% boost in the US

The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Here’s our closest look at the Kia EV2 caught testing in the Alps [Video]

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Here's our closest look at the Kia EV2 caught testing in the Alps [Video]

Kia-EV2-closest-look

The EV2 may be Kia’s smallest electric vehicle, but it has a big presence on the road. Kia promises it won’t feel so small when you’re inside, thanks to clever storage and flexible seating. After a prototype was spotted testing in the Alps, we are getting our closest look at the Kia EV2 so far.

Kia EV2 spotted in the Alps offers our closest look yet

Kia first unveiled the Concept EV2 during its 2025 EV Day event (see our recap of the event) in April, a preview of its upcoming entry-level electric SUV.

Despite its small size, Kia claims it will “redefine urban electric mobility” with new innovative features and more. Kia has yet to say exactly how big it will be, but given it will sit below the EV3, it’s expected to be around 4,000 mm (157″) in length. The EV3 is 4,300 mm (169.3″) in length.

Looking at it from the side, it sits much higher than you’d expect, similar to Kia’s larger EV9. During an exclusive event at Milan Design Week in April, Kia gave a sneak peek of the interior.

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Kia said the interior is inspired by a “picnic in the city,” or in other words, a retreat from the busy city life. With a flat-floor design and flexible seating, you can quite literally have a picnic in the city.

Kia-EV2-closest-look
Kia Concept EV2 (Source: Kia)

Although we’ve seen the EV2 out in public testing a few times, a new video provides the closest look at Kia’s upcoming electric SUV.

The video, courtesy of CarSpyMedia, shows an EV2 prototype testing in the Alps with European license plates. There’s also a “Testfahrt” sticker on the back, which translates to “Test Car” in German.

Kia EV2 entry-level EV caught testing in the Alps (Source: CarSpyMedia)

As the prototype drives by, you can get a good look at it from all angles. Like in past sightings, the front features stacked vertical headlights with Kia’s signature Star Map lighting. Even the rear lights appear to be identical to those of the concept.

The interior will feature Kia’s next-gen ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) infotainment system. The setup includes dual 12.3″ instrument clusters and infotainment screens in a curved panoramic display. Depending on the model, it could also include an added 5.3″ climate control screen.

Kia-EV2-closest-look
Kia-EV2-interior

Last month, a crossover coupe-like model was spotted on a car carrier in Korea, hinting at a new variant. The new model featured a design similar to that of the Genesis GV60.

Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, also recently told Autocar that a smaller, more affordable EV was in the works to sit below the EV2. Song said the new EV, priced under €25,000 ($30,000), was “one area we are studying and developing.”

Kia-EV2-Coupe
Kia-EV2-interior

With the EV4 and EV5 launching this year, followed by the EV2 in 2026, it could be closer toward the end of the decade before we see it hit the market. Next-gen EV6 and EV9 models are also due out around then.

The Kia EV2 is set to launch in Europe and other global regions in 2026. Unfortunately, it’s not expected to make the trip to the US.

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Prime Day-2 Green Deals: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus, GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer, Lectric e-bikes, EcoFlow, Jackery, Aiper, Greenworks, more

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Prime Day-2 Green Deals: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus, GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer, Lectric e-bikes, EcoFlow, Jackery, Aiper, Greenworks, more

It’s the second day of the Prime Day seasonal savings and we’ve got another jam-packed edition of Green Deals focusing on some of the best discounts we’ve spotted so far, with all the others rounded up in our Prime Day Green Deals hub here, which is regularly being updated throughout the days, so be sure to check back often. Leading our top three picks today is Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus Portable Power Station and its bundle packages, which are seeing up to $7,994 in savings to new low prices starting from $2,564. Next, we have GE’s Smart Combo Electric Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump at its $1,750 low, as well as Lectric’s full Better Than Prime Day sale that is taking up to $654 off e-bike bundles starting from $799. All that and much more are waiting for you below.

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.

You can save up to $7,994 on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus station + bundles at new low prices for Prime Day starting from $2,564

As part of its ongoing Prime Day Sale running through July 13, Anker SOLIX is dropping the prices lower than ever on its new F3800 Plus Portable Power Station starting at $2,564.05 shipped, after using the promo code PDSG5OFF at checkout for an extra 5% in savings – plus, you’ll be getting a free protective cover to boot! We saw this model drop from its $4,799 MSRP to hit a short-lived former $2,649 low in the brand’s early Prime Day sale, which is getting beaten out here by $85. It’s also beating out its current Amazon pricing of $2,699 (usually keeping between $2,999 and $3,899), with the combined 47% markdown here giving you a massive $2,235 in savings at the best new price that we have tracked. And don’t forget about all its bundle options we’ve collected below that are also down at new lows through the weekend.

Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus, as well as its standard F3800 predecessor, are the brand’s largest expanding backup units that start at a sizeable 3,840Wh LiFePO4 capacity, with further investments bolstering that capacity up to a 26,900Wh maximum (when six batteries are attached). It has 15 output port options to connect devices, appliances, and vehicles – with the latter being covered by the L14-30R and TT-30R ports for EVs and RVs. You’ll get up to a steady 6,000W power output normally, while it can surge as high as 9,000W when needed. That output even expands when two stations are paired together, raising the rate to 12,000W for home backup coverage.

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In terms of recharging, the F3800 Plus brings an additional method to the table with its 6,000W input it can receive from a gas generator, while its solar input max has increased to 3,200W (from 2,400W). Of course, there’s also the usual AC outlet charging and more to keep it juiced up and running.

***Note: these prices below haven’t had the extra savings factored in yet, so don’t forget to use the promo code PDSG5OFF at checkout to score the very best deals!

Anker SOLIX’s Prime Day F3800 Plus standard deals/bundles:

Anker’s SOLIX Prime Day F3800 Plus home backup bundles:

To also checkout the pricing on its standard F3800 counterpart and bundles, be sure to check out our full coverage here.

GE 2-in-1 smart combo electric washing machine and dryer

Save space or double up with GE’s 2-in-1 smart combo electric washer/ventless heat pump dryer at its $1,750 low

As part of its Black Friday in July Sale, which is running parallel to Amazon’s Prime Day Sale event, Best Buy is offering a returning low price on the GE Profile 4.8 Cubic-Foot Smart Combo Electric Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump down at $1,749.99 shipped, which is beating out the brand’s direct pricing by $249. While it usually goes for $2,900 at full price, at Best Buy it’s been more recently fetching $2,700, with discounts having kept the costs between $2,000 and $2,200 in 2025. The last time we saw prices fall this low was during Best Buy’s Black Friday sale, with this being the first time it showed up in the new year with $950 in savings at the best price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this unit, be sure to check out our original coverage of the deal here.

Lectric XPress 750 e-bike

Lectric’s Better Than Prime Sale offers up to $654 in free gear with e-bikes starting from $799

Lectric’s Better Than Prime Sale is in full swing with up to $654 discounts across its e-bike lineup, which includes the preorder deal on the new XP Trike2 and increased bundles on the new XP4 e-bikes. Sadly, if you were hoping to score the XPedition 2.0 Dual-Battery Long-Range Cargo e-bikes, they are out of stock following the July 4th sale, but the brand has since restocked another popular model, the XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes that come with $336 in free gear at $1,299 shipped. The bundles are the same as the last few sales we’ve seen, which would normally run you $1,635 in full were it not for the usual savings – not to mention the $200 off option for a spare battery to double its range (found on its landing page). All-in-all, you’ll be getting a steel-encased rear cargo rack, fenders to go over both tires, an Elite headlight upgrade, and a suspension seat post. Head below for more on this and the other models seeing savings during this limited-time event.

If you want to learn more about this model or get the full rundown of e-bike deals we’re seeing during this sale, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

EcoFlow Prime Day power station sale

Power outdoor adventures with EcoFlow’s stations and bundles at up to 62% off in Prime Day savings starting from $199

EcoFlow’s Prime Day Sale is in full swing and lasting through July 11 with up to 62% off its power stations and solar generator bundles – plus, there’s extra savings to score using the promo code EFPDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off your order. Among the many units we’re seeing at some of their lowest rates, a notable standout to cover your trips into the wilds, jobsites, and emergency needs is the DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle that comes with a 500W solar panel (4 x 125W) for $1,281.55 shipped, after using the promo code. This newer package would usually run you $2,699 at full price, with it only available directly from the site. At Amazon, the closest matching bundle you can find gives you the station with a 400W panel for $1,279, meaning you’re getting the brand’s largest portable panel for just $3 more. The combined 53% markdown here gives you $1,417 in savings at the best price we have tracked. Head below for more of the best deals we’re spotting during this sale.

If you want to learn more about this power station or get the full lineup of power station, solar generator bundles, and add-on accessory savings, be sure to check out our full coverage of the sale here.

Aiper Surfer S2 robotic solar pool skimmer

Let Aiper’s Surfer S2 robot worry about skimming your pool while being powered by the sun at new $280 low

As part of its ongoing Prime Day event, the official Aiper Amazon storefront is offering its popular Surfer S2 Robotic Solar Pool Skimmer at $279.99 shipped. It carries a $400 MSRP, but at Amazon, we’ve been seeing it keep down at $340 lately, with discounts usually taking things to $320, and one previous discount to $300 from last month. Today’s deal brings you a new all-time low, giving you $120 off its price tag for the best deal we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this popular model, be sure to check out our full coverage of the deal here.

Jackery Prime Day power station sale

Jackery’s full Prime Day Sale with up to 65% discounts, bonus savings, free gifts, and more sees return and new lows from $89

Jackery has switched over to its full Prime Day Sale through July 11 with up to 65% discounts on power stations, solar generators, and more – plus, there are extra savings, limited stock free gifts, and membership benefits too. Among the offers this time around, we’re seeing returning and new low prices on Jackery’s new HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station and its bundle options, starting from the station on its own at $1,614.05 shipped, after using the promo code PRIME5 at checkout for an additional 5% off, which beats out the Amazon pricing by $85. This new model (also known as the Explorer 3000 v2) hit the market back in May carrying a full $2,499 price tag, and which discounts brought down to $1,699 for the first time during the early Prime Day Sale. That low price is returning here, with the extra 5% savings making things all the better for a second chance at the best pricing we have tracked, saving you $885 in the process.

If you want to learn more about this all-new power station, or browse the full lineup of deals we’re seeing during this sale, be sure to check out our full coverage here.

greenworks pro 2,700 psi electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ Pro-tier 2,700 PSI electric pressure washer falls to new $285 low for Prime Day, more

As part of its ongoing Prime Day deals event, Amazon is offering the Greenworks Pro 2,700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer at $284.99 shipped, which is beating out the brand’s direct pricing by $15. It normally fetches $400 at full price, with discounts having kept above $320 before this week. It fell to $300 at the beginning of Prime Day, but has since dropped lower to this new all-time low price. You’ll be saving $115 off the going rate while the savings last, upgrading your outdoor cleaning game at the best price to date.

If you want to learn more about this model’s capabilities, as well as browse the lineup of electric pressure washer deals we’re seeing, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

Best Summer 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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