They have to save up to avoid or lower financing costs, so it may take a few months, depending on circumstances, longer. Before I blurted out anything stupid, I bit the tongue and searched Chinese EVs online. I didn’t see anything with a long bed available domestically, they don’t really need all the posh interior pluses. But then I also thought, “we’re in wetlands, and what if they bog down in the field?” And also thought they may need a longer fuel range, because summer days, starts and stops. So I’m wondering if a hybrid may be better; but also, this will need to be the last large vehicle investment they make, for farming. So my question is, should they go for hybrid or is some other option available. How long is petrol really going to last at an affordable cost? Long summer days into nights and bogdown may use battery life much quicker than highway. And it doesn’t have to be Chinese, I just feel (not know for sure) they will cost less and be more durable, in the long run, but I also haven’t factored in maintenance and repair. They do need the long bed, though. I guess this vehicle will need to last 25+ years.

Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

  • Maeve @lemmygrad.mlOP
    0·
    12 days ago

    Thanks for your reply. I’m in the core of the empire. The summers are getting longer and hotter. We have a byd-usa website, so they must be allowed for now?

    This is a small, family farm, some years the actual profit allows it to function for another year, others they break even, but there have been losses. They’re good people, sell local for comparatively lower prices, donate surplus to elderly and low income, even deliver to some shut-ins. They need to be able to keep going, three underprivileged villages depend on them. Purchasing used any kind of used and keep making repairs is no bueno.

    • EmmaGoldman [she/her, comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
      0·
      12 days ago

      Nope! All Chinese vehicles have a 120% tariff and are not really eligible for registration. No Chinese manufacturer is willing to enter the market based on these conditions. The $3000 mini trucks are entirely banned from roads. Imports must be 25 years old at time of import, or older.

      Eventually, they’re going to need repairs even for a brand new car and it simply isn’t a good idea to buy a vehicle that will forever be impossible to find parts for.

      Do they actually need a large pickup truck? Would something like a UTV meet some or all of their needs?

      Simply put, now is the worst time in American history to buy a new car. ICE vehicles are about to become unusable in the next 10-15 years, while EVs are using battery chemistry that won’t last much longer than that.

      • Maeve @lemmygrad.mlOP
        0·
        12 days ago

        Do they actually need a large pickup truck?

        Yes. Well we’ll figure out something suitable. Where there is will, there is way. I refuse to accept defeat. I just have to rethink the situation. I’m open to suggestions.

        Pardon my managers. Thanks for your thoughts.

        • EmmaGoldman [she/her, comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
          0·
          11 days ago

          Institutional scale buys of buses which are mostly or entirely used on private roads are not at all the same thing as individuals purchasing consumer vehicles for use on public roads.

          But yeah. If you have a couple dozen million to spare you can kind of do whatever you want.