{"id":14175,"date":"2022-01-29T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-29T12:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=14175"},"modified":"2022-01-29T07:45:00","modified_gmt":"2022-01-29T12:45:00","slug":"awesomely-weird-alibaba-electric-vehicle-of-the-week-499-super-basic-electric-snowmobile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=14175","title":{"rendered":"Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week: $499 super-basic electric snowmobile"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to snowmobiles, there\u2019s kind of a set way to do things. They\u2019re effectively trikes with a pair of skis up front and a single wide track in back. But this new take on old-school snowsports seems to have reinvented the idea of just what a snowmobile can be. And it\u2019s just wild enough to earn itself a coveted spot in this week\u2019s edition of the Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week series.<\/a><\/p>\n

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I\u2019m not about to tell you that this is the most amazing electric snowmobile since sliced bread.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s nowhere near as impressive as a real honest-to-goodness e-snowmobile.<\/a><\/p>\n

And it\u2019s probably not even going to hold a candle to some of those weird European snow e-bikes we\u2019ve been seeing lately.<\/a><\/p>\n

But you\u2019ve got to respect this thing\u2019s plucky spirit to even go out there and play on the same field as the big boys.<\/p>\n

I mean, it\u2019s woefully underpowered for what it\u2019s trying to do. At just 750W (that is presumably spread across its two snow tracks in the rear via a solid axle), it\u2019s more of an underpowered snow quad than anything else.<\/p>\n

Though the low weight limit of just 65 kg (143 lb) could be the giveaway that this little snow scooter thing might not be designed for your average Nordic adult. This is a kid\u2019s toy at best.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s an awesome kid\u2019s toy, at least!<\/p>\n

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The speed may only top out at 15 km\/h (9 mph) in speed mode 1, but that likely feels pretty fast when you\u2019re inches above the snow. I imagine it\u2019s a bit more than a snow mobility scooter at those speeds. But when you kick it into speed mode 2 to hit 40 km\/h (25 mph), it sounds like you\u2019re in for a seriously good time.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure how long the weak 36V and 12Ah lead acid battery will last on a charge. The company claims 1 hour, but that sounds a bit too good to be true. Even if this thing only puts out a half hour of jolly-good-joyness, how much more can you ask for at this price? $499 doesn\u2019t normally buy you a lot of electric vehicle,<\/a> much less something with dual tracks and independent suspension!<\/p>\n

Or at least the front skis appear to have independent suspension. It looks like the entire rear might be housed on a single swingarm. But again, at this price I\u2019m going to call that good enough.<\/p>\n

They even give you three colors to choose from, which is more than I can say for a lot of electric bicycle companies right now!<\/p>\n

Something tells me if Santa had one of these, he\u2019d be enjoying himself much more each winter<\/a>. He might not make it to every kid\u2019s house in one night, but he\u2019s got the best excuse ever: supply chain issues!<\/p>\n

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I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m about to run out and buy one of these things. It hasn\u2019t snowed in Tel Aviv where I live most of the year since the 1950s. And I\u2019m not saying you should buy one either.<\/p>\n

But what I aaaaam<\/em> saying is that if you diiiiid<\/em> buy one, you should definitely send me some photos and videos so I can see the thing in action.<\/p>\n

As it stands, all I\u2019ve got right now are these videos from the vendor. And how can I trust them? They\u2019re trying to make a sale! And from the dude reading off the poorly written script like he\u2019s in a hostage proof-of-life tape, I\u2019m not sure this is the best place to go for reliable info.<\/p>\n

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