I imported a $2,000 electric truck from China. Five years later, here’s the truth — SkimNews
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- Changli completed five years of regular hauling on a 10-acre Florida homestead without major drivetrain failures; its hydraulic dump bed still operates, and it continues to start and drive reliably.
- Changli has developed mostly cosmetic corrosion after five years outdoors in Florida, concentrated where paint chipped around the tailgate and cargo bed; other wear includes a shortened wiper sweep, repeatedly detaching mirror and torn faux-leather driver's seat.
- Changli was upgraded with softer suspension springs, a custom tow hitch and aggressive off-road tires, but loads above roughly 500 pounds make the rear squat and bring the homemade hitch close to the ground.
- Changli costs little over $1 per full charge and has required remarkably little maintenance over five years; the owner's father calls the truck an essential part of maintaining the 10-acre property.
- Kandi electric UTV now handles smaller daily chores with better suspension and a powered dump bed, while the Changli remains the vehicle of choice for bulky loads, long branches, dirt and mulch.
- US Treasury tariffs added to the Changli's import cost, while ocean freight cost nearly $2,000 and customs-broker documentation added more, putting the total several thousand dollars above the $2,080 factory price.
- Changli is not street-legal and lacks the safety equipment, crash protection and regulatory approvals expected of a modern full-size pickup; the owner uses it almost exclusively on private property and describes it as unsuitable for long-distance transport at 25 mph.
Why it matters: For a private-land owner, five years of hauling with a charge costing little over $1 and minimal maintenance turned the Changli into an essential tool despite several-thousand-dollar import fees. Its 25 mph design and lack of street approvals mean the buyer must treat it as private-property equipment, not a road-going pickup.
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