I’m surprised there’s not at least one US based company making a small, ultra barebones EV thing like this yet. Something that could replace a lot of side-by-sides and ATVs on farms like this thing can, while also being able to get groceries. Surely there’s enough off the shelf parts to wrangle something up? Only major custom part would be the frame. If it was under 10k (ideally 5 or 6, I figure), I feel like they would sell like hotcakes.
Something like a Microlina, but even more basic, and maybe a little more utility-vehicle shaped, like a Kei truck.
They’re called Utility Transport Vehicles and they’re priced in the $15k to $30k range. China subsidizes a lot of the manufacturing of electric vehicles and PV panels and still has a large advantage in labor costs over North American manufacturing of the same. There’s no realistic way to complete with those advantages. So the question becomes, should NAFTA members subsidize the same or should the North American population be given the benefit of Chinese subsidies in the form of cheap utility vehicles or do they protect the North American manufacturing industry by keeping high tarrifs in place?
Interesting. This one came up with that search, which even then seems a little too deluxe compared to what I had in mind, but it’s not too far off. The price on those are insane, all the things considered, especially since the actually good batteries cost an extra 5k over the base price.
I think part of the high cost may be due to these manufacturers targeting companies, not private individuals, but I can see how it would be difficult to compete with subsidies and slave wages regardless.
Personally I’d support subsidizing it, but I doubt that’ll happen.
Personally I’d support subsidizing it, but I doubt that’ll happen.
A lot of us in this community probably thinking the same thing. Unfortunately the subsidies in place are written for the benefit of the large manufacturers to sell SUV and Pickup EVs only.
The one you linked was started by a subsidiary of GM (hence the name GEM), but it has since been sold off.
I think a company like Ryobi or Ego could do it. They both make a very good battery powered riding mower, and Ego already makes a dirt bike that uses the same batteries.
This is an ill informed question, only asking because you’ve shared two different brands I recognize…
How does GreenJoe or Worx stack up against Ryobi or Ego; as far small EV vehicle prospects go?
Trying to pay better attention to companies producing battery powered yard/farm equipment. Guess I’m trying to sort out which brands to pay attention to.
Vehicle safety regulations in place prevent this.
It’s why domestic as well as Japanese cars have gotten so oversized and compared to 20 years ago.
It’s also why every car on the road looks alike. Automotive design is very restricted by regulation. They start with what they are “allowed” to make and have to work within the standards.
Cars have become oversized in the US because that’s what American consumers want and for no other reason. Somehow cars like the Mazda Miata, BMW Mini Cooper and the Kia Soul were able to pass US safety standards so there is no reason to believe it can’t be done with other small cars. Ford has stated they no longer will produce cars and instead focus on its more profitable SUVs and Trucks with the exception of its Mustang line. They don’t want to build smaller affordable cars because the profit margins on those cars are not worth it to them. If American auto makers refuse to build cars all Americans can afford then we shouldn’t protect their profits from companies who are willing to make those cars.
Right. Visibility got uniformly worse in every car because we only relatively recently mandated that cars be able to support their own weight on their roof. Therefore all pillars had to get thicker.
