The World's Cheapest Electric Car

The World's Cheapest Electric Car

China is blazing a trail to the post-gas future with an astonishing range of electric cars.cheapest electric car china There are sleek minivan-like crossovers; premium, high-status vehicles that we don’t really have a category for here in America (like the Xpeng X9 or Zeeker 009); hardcore off-roaders; and delivery vehicles, family sedans, and even electric supercars. But there’s one type of EV in particular that’s stealing the show: the ultra-cheap Changli. The Electrek team recently got a chance to try out a Changli—which is also colloquially known as the world’s cheapest electric car—and it was, in a word, wild. But while the Changli is a hilarious little ride that’s perfect for picking up grandkids or hauling tubs of takeout home, there are other cheap Chinese EVs out there that can do a lot more.

EVs are already cheaper than traditional gasoline-powered cars in China, thanks to a massive incentive program that’s helping to push down the cost of batteries and motors.cheapest electric car china And that’s great news for EV buyers in general, because it means there could be a whole new class of cars on the market that are even more affordable than Tesla’s Model 3 or the Chevy Bolt.

But just because there’s a new, incredibly cheap EV out there doesn’t mean it’ll be easy for Americans to buy. For starters, there’s the tariff. And then there’s the fact that most Chinese EV companies aren’t ready to open factories on American soil, so they’d have to import their vehicles.

That’s a big hurdle, especially since it would require the companies to set up their own logistics and support infrastructure. And the last thing they want is for their vehicles to get stuck in a giant warehouse somewhere, waiting for a buyer who may never come.

There are a few ways around the tariff, including the possibility of a Chinese company opening a factory in Mexico or another country that doesn’t have a tariff on cars imported from overseas. But it’s a longshot at this point. And if it does happen, then there’s the question of whether or not America will embrace Chinese EVs.

For now, the best way to find a truly inexpensive Chinese EV is probably to look on Alibaba, the country’s largest ecommerce site. It’s basically eBay, except quirkier, and it often has deals on items that you won’t find anywhere else—like a $8,790 electric vehicle.

That’s about $11,210 less than America’s cheapest EV, the Chevrolet Bolt, which lists for $20,000 after the $7,500 EV tax credit. Of course, you’ll still have to pay for the car itself, and then there are all the other fees and taxes that go along with importing something from a foreign country. And then there’s the maintenance, parts, and insurance costs. So it might not be the wisest idea to buy a Chinese EV, no matter how cheap it is. But it is an interesting option to consider if you’re in the market for a cheap commuter car.

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