Are there “budget” Chinese EVs with none of the touch screen, apps, special bells and whistles? I.e. just one with an on button, a few driving modes, and buttons to control the audio and ac?
Tons of them. Most of the EVs are sold in China, and most of them are obviously not the top end models. Unfortunately they may not necessarily be available in countries outside of China. Manufacturers like to export their top of the line models first in order to create a good impression of their brand. Also because the profit margins are higher on those models. But this might also depend on if you are in a richer vs a poorer country. Companies may not export the expensive models to countries where they know they won’t sell.
So while in China you have all the possible options available from the very cheapest to the most expensive, in western Europe you may only have the most expensive ones, whereas in many global south countries you may only find the budget models.
There are so many, you can get a good overview of them just by taking rideshare in China. The intense rideshare competition between drivers means that you’re pretty much guaranteed to get an EV just because they’re cheaper to run. Roewe is the most common brand for this in my experience, but there’s significant variety especially by region.
Are there “budget” Chinese EVs with none of the touch screen, apps, special bells and whistles? I.e. just one with an on button, a few driving modes, and buttons to control the audio and ac?
Tons of them. Most of the EVs are sold in China, and most of them are obviously not the top end models. Unfortunately they may not necessarily be available in countries outside of China. Manufacturers like to export their top of the line models first in order to create a good impression of their brand. Also because the profit margins are higher on those models. But this might also depend on if you are in a richer vs a poorer country. Companies may not export the expensive models to countries where they know they won’t sell.
So while in China you have all the possible options available from the very cheapest to the most expensive, in western Europe you may only have the most expensive ones, whereas in many global south countries you may only find the budget models.
I’ll never get to have an affordable EV because I live in US, but yeah it makes sense they are widely available in china
Yes, but they’re not so often exported. The base models of the Wuling Hongguang are like 4-5k€ in Chinese prices and aren’t smart cars at all
There are so many, you can get a good overview of them just by taking rideshare in China. The intense rideshare competition between drivers means that you’re pretty much guaranteed to get an EV just because they’re cheaper to run. Roewe is the most common brand for this in my experience, but there’s significant variety especially by region.
Yeah, I figured they exist but the tech reporters are obviously interested in the high end shit.
Doubt they will ever come to America though. I’m sticking with my old ass Japanese car as long as I can