Elon Musk recently backed away from the idea of a $25,000 Tesla, sparking a discussion about what truly affordable electric vehicles can offer. While the Nissan Leaf and Citroen Ami may be considered affordable in the US and Europe respectively, the BYD Seagull from China stands out as an equally cheap option with a 200-mile range.
For those seeking an even more budget-friendly option, the Zhidou Rainbow is a compact city EV priced at just $4,400 before subsidies. This affordable electric car comes with three doors, four seats, a digital driver display, a touchscreen infotainment system, and features like a connected smartphone app, charge scheduling, and OTA software updates.
The Rainbow offers two models – one with a 20-kW motor and a 9.98-kWh battery for $4,400, and another with a 30-kW motor and a 17-kWh battery for $5,500. Despite its small size and limited range, the Rainbow provides a viable electric mobility solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional electric vehicles.
