It’s back! The electric mini-truck that keeps on giving has another fun trick up its sleeve. With a bit of DIY magic, I was able to outfit my Chinese mini-truck with a solar panel that can trickle charge it from the sun.
If you’re aren’t familiar with this unassuming little mini-truck, then here’s the background: I found it on Alibaba back in 2021 and paid the Chinese vendor it came from $2,000 to make it mine.
It went through a long saga of being shipped to the US, which cost slightly more than the truck itself. But it eventually arrived in Florida where it’s been living out a hard working yet rewarding life on my parent’s ranch. There it mainly serves as a work truck on the property, though sometimes it heads out just to delight the neighbors. Everyone loves this quirky little thing.
The electric drive means that it is quiet, largely maintenance-free, and doesn’t require any trips to the gas station to fill up.
That last one is important since it isn’t even street legal, and hence why it lives its life off-road as a work truck.
The fairly large (for a mini-truck) 6,000 Wh battery generally provided around a week or two of use before needing to be recharged from a typical 120V wall outlet.
That was fine, though it was a bit annoying to wait all day for it to charge.
So I decided to try to take advantage of the plentiful sun that bakes its roof rack each day while it sits outside. To do so, I got a small solar panel to mount onto the roof rack.
I figured if I could just let it trickle charge while it’s sitting out in the sun, then I wouldn’t actually need to plug it in for a big charge of the LiFePO4 battery nearly as often.
You can follow along with the process of installing the solar panel on the truck in a video I filmed of the project, or just keep reading for the details.
The largest panel I could find that didn’t extend past the existing roof rack was a 50W Renogy solar panel. Not exactly huge, but it would be just fine for trickle charging. Assuming around 35W of solar energy (they don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothin’!) for 8 hours a day, I figured I’d get nearly 300 Wh of trickle charging per day.
Considering the truck only drives a few miles per day while it stays within a 10 acre ranch, that would probably account for around half of its daily use. It wouldn’t take it completely off-grid, but it should stretch out the time between charges by around double. And the panel would be small enough that it wouldn’t impact anything else on the truck or extend past the confines of the existing roof rack.
I was able to mount the solar panel by using PVC pipe to create struts across the roof rack. After painting them black, they basically looked like the existing steel tubes and make the installation appear more like a factory job.
The pipes also allowed me to angle the panel slightly, meaning I can park the truck facing north when I’m not using it and get a nice southernly angle for higher solar efficiency.
To increase the roughly 18VDC coming out of the solar panel to match the charge voltage needed by my 60V battery in the mini-truck, I used a solar charge controller. It’s the same one I used in a previous solar electric bike project, and it’s way more powerful than I need. But the extra power means that if I ever want to create a carport or other installation with a few larger solar panels on it, I could plug them in directly to the truck and get a higher charging rate when parked near the solar array.
The actual process of connecting everything is pretty darn simple. The solar panels plug into the charge controller, which itself plugs into the battery’s charging port. I was able to access the charging port by using a spare plug under the mini-truck’s charging cap (I still don’t know why the mini-truck came with two different charging ports wired to the same circuit, but I was happy it did). The most difficult part was just peeling back the interior lining of the truck’s cab to hide the wiring that ran up to the solar panel.
With the installation complete, testing showed that in most conditions I could get between 30-35W of power. At one point I reached 45W when the sun was its highest point in the sky, though 35W was a more realistic figure on average.
Since the solar panel installation, I’ve found that the charging period has basically doubled.
If my family charged the truck around once every 10 days or so in the past, now we can get away with doing it once every three weeks or so.
A panel that was large enough to completely charge the truck would be nice, but I didn’t want one so big that it could get in the way of the bed since we use the truck nearly daily for hauling things around the property.
The bed also has a hydraulic ram that lifts it up about 45-degrees in dump truck form, and so I couldn’t have a panel extend too far back.
I’d say that the project was quite successful, and it demonstrates that solar charging on vehicles can be effective if the vehicle is low enough power (my truck is around 5 hp).
Conventional solar electric cars can’t really compare, since a day of sun just isn’t enough to fill a reasonable portion of their massive batteries. But if you’ve got a small EV like a mini-truck or an e-bike, especially one that doesn’t need to go too far each day and generally stays in one area like this, you can actually make an impact even with a relatively small solar panel.
For anyone who ever wanted to try a DIY solar charging project like this, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot. It’s surprisingly simple and easy to do. It’s also hard to describe the rewarding feeling of stepping back to admire your work afterwards, watching your device “magically” charging without being plugged in. Or at least, without being plugged in to the wall.
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On today’s high-powered episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda fuel cell manager David Perzynski here to talk about Honda’s forty year history developing hydrogen powertrains, and the role Honda sees for HFCEVs in a battery dominated world.
In the course of the conversation we talk about several hydrogen articles posted in 2024, as well as some Honda projects related to CES. You’ll be able to read more about those, below. Enjoy!
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news!
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Sixthreezero’s wide range of electric bike models includes some fairly out-there models, but the company’s new four-wheeled electric bike really charts a new direction in the industry. Take a look at the new ANYterrain Stabilized 4-wheel Electric Bike.
It’s a mouthful of a name, but the ANYterrain Stabilized 4-wheel Electric Bike hauls more than just a bunch of extra words. The bike is rated to carry up to 350 lb (159 kg), and the 750W motor ensures it has the power to do so. With speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h), the quad bike is just as fast as most Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
But the real game changer here is the design, offering four-wheeled stability that riders can’t get from a conventional three-wheeled trike.
Not only do four wheels provide better stability with a wider footprint, but the steering on the bike uses leaning geometry to take turns more naturally, helping riders feel even more stable.
With 20″ wheels in the rear and 16″ wheels in the front, the quad bike keeps a fairly low center of gravity. All four wheels use 4″ fat tires for better offroad riding and more comfortable shock absorption compared to narrow tires, and the rear wheels even feature a differential to better apply the motor’s power to the ground.
A twist throttle makes it easy to roll on that power, and a D/R switch on the bars lets riders put it in reverse for cases where they need a little help wiggling around in tight spaces. Pedaling backward from a stop can also engage the reverse. At 120 lbs (54 kg), this isn’t the type of bike you can just pick up and move around the garage without a little help so that reverse feature will likely come in handy.
A 48V and 20Ah battery offers 960Wh of capacity, which the company says translates into a range of up to 50 miles (80 km).
The battery is housed under a cargo basket in the rear, though a bench seat can be swapped for the basket, allowing riders to carry a passenger with them.
Electrek’s Take
This certainly won’t be a mass market type of e-bike, but I can see a real use case for neighborhood riding and local errands, especially for folks who don’t feel stable on a bicycle or even a trike.
Despite trikes offering great stability when going straight, some people can feel uncomfortable making turns on a trike, especially at higher speeds, because they can sometimes feel tippy under certain scenarios. This quad bike can still tip if you take a turn sharp enough, but the wider stance combined with the leaning steering means riders will even more stable than on a trike.
And since this will likely be used more by older riders, the reverse is an important feature for letting folks park the bike easily without dismounting and dragging it around.
There could be some legal hurdles in some areas that define “bicycles” as having either two or three wheels, but I’m guessing most cops aren’t jumping at the opportunity to ticket grandma for riding her quad bike on the local rails to trails network.
I love seeing more options like this, and I commend Sixthreezero for providing such interesting options to add to the market.
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Who said you had to break the bank to drive an electric vehicle? Several EV lease deals are available this December for under $300 or even $200 per month, but the savings may not last long. Here are some of the best EVs to consider leasing right now.
Electric vehicles accounted for nearly 9% of all vehicle sales in the US in the third quarter, its highest level on record.
“The growth is being fueled in part by incentives and discounts,” According to Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. The other part is the influx of more affordable models hitting the market.
In addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit, some discounts on EV models are reaching $10,000 to upwards of $20,000.
The massive incentives slash monthly payment prices, in many cases making them even more affordable than comparable gas-powered cars. According to a new Experian report, leasing accounted for 45% of all new EV transactions in the third quarter. That’s up significantly from 25% last year and just 9.5% in Q3 2022.
(Source: Tesla)
Including incentives, the average monthly payment for leasing an EV was $198 less than if you financed a new model.
With Trump’s transition team reportedly planning to “kill off” the $7,500 EV tax credit, the savings could largely disappear. As buyers rush to take advantage of the discounts, EV sales are expected to surge this month.
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
EV lease deals for under $300 a month this December
To close out the year strong and make room for new models, several companies are offering significant discounts on popular electric models, including Kia, Hyundai, Honda, GM, Ford, Stellantis, and more.
According to online automotive research firm CarsDirect, several EV models are even available for lease for under $300 or even $200 per month right now. You can view offers in your area at the bottom.
Lease From
Term (months)
Due at Signing
Effective rate per month (including upfront fees)
2025 Nissan LEAF
$129
36
$2,529
$199
2025 Kia Niro EV
$149
24
$3,999
$315
2024 Kia EV6
$159
24
$3,849
$319
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5
$159
24
$3,999
$326
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6
$159
24
$3,999
$326
2024 Nissan Ariya
$169
24
$6,219
$428
2024 Fiat 500e
$179
42
$2,979
$250
2024 Toyota bZ4X
$219
39
$2,999
$296
2024 Honda Prologue
$229
36
$1,299
$265
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
$230
36
$6,206
$402
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
$251
36
$5,440
$402
2024 Subaru Solterra
$279
36
$279
$287
Tesla Model 3
$299
36
$2,999
$382
Tesla Model Y
$299
36
$2,999
$382
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
$299
24
$3,169
$431
Best EV lease deals for under $300 a month in December 2024
The 2025 Kia Niro EV remains one of the most affordable electric cars on the market, with leases starting at as low as $149 for 24 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective rate is just $315 per month. That’s even cheaper than the plug-in hybrid model at $414 per month (including $3,499 due at signing).
Kia also offers a $199 per month for 36 months EV lease deal. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is just $310 per month.
2024 Kia EV6 (Source: Kia)
The EV6, Kia’s dedicated EV based on the same platform as Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, is listed with lease prices as low as $159 for 24 months. With $3,849 due at signing, the 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Range RWD trim costs just $319 per month to lease.
Speaking of the IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s electric SUV is also available to lease this month for under $200. Through its “Hyundai Getaway Sales Event,” Hyundai is offering a $159 for 36 months lease offer on the IONIQ 5. Hyundai’s big savings come as the upgraded 2025 model is arriving at dealers.
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)
You can also snag the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 for the same $159 per month. With $3,999 due at signing the effective cost is just $326 per month.
Nissan’s Ariya electric SUV is another top choice, with lease prices starting at as low as $99 per month. However, that’s only available in Colorado. In other parts of the country, like New York, the 2024 Nissan Ariya is listed at $169 for 24 months. With $6,219 upfront, the effective rate is $428 per month.
2024 Nissan Ariya (Source: Nissan)
Fiat’s compact 500e EV is available to lease for $179 for 42 months this December. With $2,999 due at signing, you can lease the 2024 500e INSPI(RED) trim for just $250 per month.
You can score Fiat’s EV for even cheaper in some areas. For example, one dealership in Colorado is offering a $0 for 27 month lease deal with $0 down, making the 500e essentially free.
Honda’s Prologue was the third best-selling EV in the US last month as sales continue surging this year. In a year end promo, Honda made the electric SUV even more attractive with a 0% APR offer and up to $6,000 off.
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Although not under $200, you may want to consider a few other EV lease deals this month. For example, Honda is offering its electric Prologue at just $259 per month for 36 months. With $2,999 due upfront, you can drive off in Honda’s electric SUV for just $342 per month. That’s less than a Honda Civic at $279 per month despite costing nearly twice as much.
At just $299 for 24 months, the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV is also worth a look. With $3,169 due at signing, you can lease the electric Equinox for just $431 per month.
Photo: Courtesy of Tesla Inc.
Tesla is offering three free months of Supercharging and Full Self-Driving in its year end deals. However, you must take delivery by December 31, 2024.
Ford is another company making a strong end of year push with big savings on electric models. Through its new “Power Promise”, all EV buyers get a free Level 2 home charger and Ford will cover the cost of standard installation.
Ready to take advantage of the savings? We can help you find the best EV lease deals in your area. Check out our links below to view offers on popular electric models in your area.
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