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Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

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Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#81

Post by ngngngng »

dv_dt wrote: post #55

These seem like utility (landscaping) grade golf carts that are already a market in the US. Available in mostly gas, but some electric forms. https://www.deere.com/en/gator-utility-vehicles/ https://www.toro.com/en/sports-fields-municipalities/utility... https://www.catresourcecenter.com/machine/landscaping/utilit...

I just don't get it. a John Deere Gator with two seats and 4 wheels, and not much else costs over $7000 new. No windows, No airbags, pathetic top speed, not road legal.

A Lada 4x4 costs less than that brand new in Russia. Road legal, standard car top speed. Known as a very reliable car. Why can't I buy a really cheap car in the United States?

edit: also the lada 4x4 is possibly the coolest car i've ever seen, in it's own unique way. I would do anything to import one, but it's not legal.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#82

Post by Shivetya »

brightball wrote: post #35
Someone1234 wrote: post #31

I'd technically be in the demographic for this. I have a less than 10 mile commute. However, that 28 MpH maximum speed is a legitimate limitation/problem, even on my under 10 mile commute, there's at least two roads that are 40 MpH (people drive 45 MpH), and I'm going to get honked at if I can barely maintain 28 MpH. I like the price and concept... But that max speed is a deal breaker. It will be interesting to see w…

These are literally golf carts. Exact same usage as a golf cart.

the usage cases are just going to be so limited, the liability of letting them on the road will probably be moot if the NHTSA holds them to the same crash standards as cars.

I just don't see it, the "upscale" neighborhood adjacent to us is replete with golf carts and most of those are electric, but they have wide sidewalks to support them as the rules do not allow them on road ways.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#83

Post by blisterpeanuts »

bluGill wrote: post #76
dv_dt wrote: post #55

These seem like utility (landscaping) grade golf carts that are already a market in the US. Available in mostly gas, but some electric forms. https://www.deere.com/en/gator-utility-vehicles/ https://www.toro.com/en/sports-fields-municipalities/utility... https://www.catresourcecenter.com/machine/landscaping/utilit...

Except these are designed to be road legal in the 46 states that allow them. As far as I can tell, the utility vehicles you state are not road legal - the difference is minor though as you can legally drive them on the road in all 50 states for things like agriculture but the limits are stronger.

28 miles per hour pretty much rules them out except for residential neighborhoods. Most major city streets in the U.S. are at least 30 mph. If the Pickman can be improved to go 40, it might stand a chance. Otherwise, it's just a glorified golf cart as the other poster suggests.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#85

Post by VectorLock »

ngngngng wrote: post #81
dv_dt wrote: post #55

These seem like utility (landscaping) grade golf carts that are already a market in the US. Available in mostly gas, but some electric forms. https://www.deere.com/en/gator-utility-vehicles/ https://www.toro.com/en/sports-fields-municipalities/utility... https://www.catresourcecenter.com/machine/landscaping/utilit...

I just don't get it. a John Deere Gator with two seats and 4 wheels, and not much else costs over $7000 new. No windows, No airbags, pathetic top speed, not road legal. A Lada 4x4 costs less than that brand new in Russia. Road legal, standard car top speed. Known as a very reliable car. Why can't I buy a really cheap car in the United States? edit: also the lada 4x4 is possibly the coolest car i've ever seen, in it's…

Whats the crash testing like on that Lada 4x4?

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#86

Post by bluGill »

Someone1234 wrote: post #31

I'd technically be in the demographic for this. I have a less than 10 mile commute. However, that 28 MpH maximum speed is a legitimate limitation/problem, even on my under 10 mile commute, there's at least two roads that are 40 MpH (people drive 45 MpH), and I'm going to get honked at if I can barely maintain 28 MpH. I like the price and concept... But that max speed is a deal breaker. It will be interesting to see w…

US law has a provision for low speed cars with a 25mph top speed. Typically these cars are not allowed on roads with a speed limit > 35mph. There are less safety requirements which is why these cars can be cheaper.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#87

Post by blisterpeanuts »

Poiesis wrote: post #33

At that price point I'd enthusiastically recommend a three year old Nissan Leaf; that's about what I paid and it's served me well.

A friend of mine just bought a new Leaf in Massachusetts for a net $15,000 (includes $7500 federal tax credit and $2500 state credit). The car goes 150 miles, and doesn't look like a leaf, more like a regular sporty subcompact. I'd say it's a much better investment than one of these Pickman vehicles. Of course, there would also be a tax credit for the Pickman, though I'm not sure how much.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#88

Post by pedrocr »

cmrdporcupine wrote: post #80

If it can have a snow plow mounted on the front and it has a trailer hitch, I'd buy one just for use on my hobby farm. Assuming they make it to Canada. I don't need it to be road legal, either. Just needs to be narrow enough to get down an 8' vineyard row, and be able to push a couple feet of snow.

For those uses just buy a John Deere Gator or a Toro Workman. Best purchase we ever made for our hobby farm. Relatively easy to find cheap used ones and maintenance is really simple to do yourself. We have the Workman. The electric motor climbs anything and is very easy to modulate for use in tight maneuvers. The turning radius is so small it can go anywhere it will physically fit.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#89

Post by ngngngng »

VectorLock wrote: post #85
ngngngng wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just don't get it. a John Deere Gator with two seats and 4 wheels, and not much else costs over $7000 new. No windows, No airbags, pathetic top speed, not road legal. A Lada 4x4 costs less than that brand new in Russia. Road legal, standard car top speed. Known as a very reliable car. Why can't I buy a really cheap car in the United States? edit: also the lada 4x4 is possibly the coolest car i've ever seen, in it's…

Whats the crash testing like on that Lada 4x4?

I don't know, I assume it's better than the more expensive open air golf cart that i'm comparing to though.

edit: What i'm trying to say is, why is a fully functional car (even with bad crash safety and emissions) cheaper outside the United States than a golf cart is here? The answer seems obvious to me. Making it illegal to import cars has stifled competition and hurt consumers in the US.

Re: Cheap Chinese electric cars are coming to the US and Europe

#90

Post by moate »

yingw787 wrote: post #14

I sure hope these aren’t road legal. Maybe in warehouses or farms or golf courses. Not roads.

Short answer: They aren't, except for certain roads with speeds under 35 MPH. This isn't a "car" in the traditional sense an American would recognize, it's a cart.
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