One of my favorite parts of perusing Alibaba for fun and outlandish electric vehicles is seeing just how creative the designers can become. In this case, I’ve found what looks like a mini-minivan that took an extra spin or two around the window factory before emerging complete.
In this case, we’ve got what looks like an imitation Pontiac Trans Sport. Or at least it still gives me those Dust-Buster vibes. But instead of a 3.2L V6 that my parents’ Pontiac minivan came with, this Alibaba version has a 4,000W electric motor ready to clock in for a union job driving around those snot-nosed kids every day. And this time, when the kids get car sick and Dad yells back “just look out the window!”, they’ll have plenty of options.
This car – if you can call it that – is positively surrounded by windows. Or rather, it’s almost constructed of them.
Instead of doors, you’ve got windows. And there are even sliding windows mounted inside the fixed window doors. You’ve even got front and rear quarter windows! The rear units look like they’re barely a hand wide and the front is perhaps half of that again, but the designers definitely weren’t about to spend a penny more on body panels than they had to. I’m surprised there’s even a ‘hood’ panel and not just more glass showcasing an empty frunk up front. At least you’d never have to wonder if you left any groceries in there.
And just in case this tiny little van is too tall for you, a set of running boards on either side creates a convenient step-up, or perhaps tripping hazard, that you can take with you on the go.
The surprisingly large 48V 180 Ah battery offers 8.6 kWh of capacity, or enough for around 85 km (53 miles) of range. At a top speed of barely 30 km/h (18 mph) though, that sounds like a pretty long time to be stuck inside this mobile greenhouse.
There are four seats, allowing you to bring along your friends or perform school drop-off duty with the kids. But if you’ve got a local neighborhood carpool going then you might want to opt for the six-seater version.
At US $6,300, this is one of the pricier electric vehicles I’ve featured in this column, but those windows don’t grow on trees. If you want the best panoramic view on Alibaba (or close to it), then you’re going to have to pay for that pleasure.
Though like I always say, please don’t pay for it. These articles are a tongue-in-cheek exercise in window shopping. This is far from street-legal and also likely costs at least twice as much just in taxes, customs, and freight fees. And that’s not to mention the decent chance it gets seized at the border. So let’s enjoy it from a distance as we round out a fun year of Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicles!
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
Advertisement – scroll for more content
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
The new electric Mercedes CLA (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
July EV sales looked strong on the surface, but the looming impact of tariffs and the end of EV tax credits reveal a more complicated picture, according to Cars.com’s new Industry Insights report.
New-vehicle sales jumped 6.6% year-over-year, even as dealer inventory fell for the first time since 2022. Much of the spike came from a “buy now” mindset as shoppers raced to lock in deals before tariffs and policy changes drive prices higher. For EVs in particular, the looming end of the federal $7,500 tax credit on September 30 added another layer of urgency.
EV inventory growth is slowing – for now
Shoppers technically have more EV options than ever, with 75 models on the market – a 27% jump from last year. But new EV inventory growth has slowed to just 9% year-over-year, the lowest since before the Inflation Reduction Act revived federal incentives. Analysts expect another wave of buying before the tax credit vanishes, but after that, higher prices could cool demand, especially with most new EVs still priced in the premium-to-luxury bracket.
Tariffs set to push prices higher
Automakers absorbed an estimated $12 billion in tariff costs in the second quarter alone to keep sticker prices steady. That’s not sustainable, and once those costs flow into 2026 models, EV buyers could be facing thousands more on the same car.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
At current 25% tariff levels, the average new-vehicle price could jump from $48,000 to $54,400 – about $6,400 more. Even if trade deals trim tariffs to 15%, buyers would still see increases of more than $4,000. That’s a huge gap compared to household incomes, which grew only 1% last year.
The used EV market is heating up
While new EV prices are bracing for impact, the used EV market is gaining momentum. Inventory is up 33% year-over-year, while average prices dipped 2% to $36,000. Affordable used EVs under $25,000 – including the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt EV – are selling 20% faster than average. Many also qualify for the $4,000 used-EV tax credit, which, like the new EV credit, ends September 30.
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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.