I bought a cheap electric pickup truck from Alibaba (2021) (electrek.co)

Article summary

The author purchased a cheap electric pickup truck from Alibaba for around $7,000, including shipping and upgrades. The truck is not street legal in the US due to federal safety standards, but it has proven useful as a farm vehicle. It features a hydraulic dumping bed, air conditioning, and a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery. The author plans to modify the truck with additions such as a solar panel and rustproofing.

Main themes

• electric vehicles
• regulatory requirements
• safety concerns
• small vehicles
• farm vehicles
• alternative transportation

What commenters say

• Some commenters think the truck is a good value for its price and could be useful for specific tasks like farming or snow clearing.
• Others are concerned about the safety of small vehicles on public roads, particularly in collisions with larger vehicles.
• There are differing opinions on the regulatory requirements for small electric vehicles, with some arguing that they should be allowed on public roads with certain restrictions.
• A few commenters mention alternative small electric vehicles that are available or upcoming, such as the Honda-e or the Citroen AMI.
• Some people believe that the safety risks of small vehicles can be mitigated with proper design and testing, while others think that they are inherently unsafe.
• The idea of labeling small vehicles as 'not certified' or 'experimental' to allow them on public roads is also discussed.
• A comparison is made between the safety of small vehicles and motorcycles, with some arguing that motorcycles are allowed on public roads despite their safety risks.