Man who bought a $2,000 Chinese electric truck shares what 5 years has done to it after its shock unboxing

Published on Nov 08, 2026 at 3:06 AM (UTC-5)
by Daisy Edwards

Last updated on Nov 08, 2026 at 3:06 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by Mason Jones

Man who bought a $2,000 Chinese electric truck shares what 5 years has done to it after its shock unboxing
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A man who bought a $2,000 mini Chinese electric truck has revealed how it held up after five years of hard work.

Mike from Ebike School originally imported the unusual little vehicle to the US, where it quickly became an internet sensation after he shared a video of himself unboxing it.

Now, after millions of views and plenty of people questioning whether it would last, he’s finally shown what five years of use did to it.

And there’s one thing that might surprise the skeptics.

The $2,000 Chinese electric truck had a pretty busy five years

When Mike first brought the EV truck over from China, it was something of an experiment.

But it didn’t take long for the unusual electric vehicle to find a permanent job on his parents’ 10-acre property in Florida.

In fact, it was used for pretty much everything, from moving mulch, sand and dirt to carrying branches, logs and lumber.

Its hydraulic dump bed proved particularly useful, allowing the family to load up heavy materials and tip them out wherever they were needed.

Mike and his dad also made a few changes during its first year, including fitting a custom tow hitch, replacing the incredibly stiff suspension springs and swapping the original road tires for chunky off-road alternatives.

The truck even doubled as an irrigation vehicle, with a solar-powered pump helping to move lake water around the property during Florida’s dry season.

However, despite all that hard work, the big question had always been whether such a cheap Chinese electric truck could actually survive years of use.

Five years later, here’s what had started to go wrong

After taking a closer look, Mike found that most of the truck’s important features were still working.

The electric windows, door locks, lights and air conditioning were all functioning, with the latter still blowing impressively cold air.

Even the original windshield wiper blade was still fitted, although its range of movement had become noticeably shorter.

There were a few more obvious signs of aging, though.

The rear lights had become cloudy after spending several years exposed to the Florida sunshine, while the tailgate and other exposed areas had picked up scratches and some rust.

Inside, the driver’s seat upholstery had started to tear, and one of the decorative door panels had come loose.

The rearview mirror had also developed a habit of falling off, with Mike’s family having to glue it back on several times.

But perhaps most surprisingly, the truck’s biggest mechanical features were still doing their job.

The air conditioning worked, the hydraulic dump bed remained useful and the solar panel on the roof was still providing a trickle charge.

Mike admitted that the vehicle had experienced plenty of wear and tear, but said it had held up better than he expected.

His dad said the truck could last another 10 years

Mike’s dad had arguably spent more time behind the wheel than anyone else, using the little electric truck for countless jobs around the property.

And he was pretty impressed with how it had performed.

He explained that the vehicle had been involved in practically every major project on the property over the previous five years, from building a floating dock to clearing trees damaged by hurricanes.

His dad also pointed out that the last three years had actually been harder on the truck than the first two, as it had spent more time stored outdoors.

Despite that, he believed it had plenty of life left in it.

“I see no reason why it won’t go another five years or 10 years,” he said.

The family had also acquired another electric utility vehicle, which had taken over some everyday jobs, but the Chinese truck remained their go-to choice for transporting larger loads thanks to its spacious bed.

And there was another rather impressive selling point: running costs.

Mike’s dad revealed that charging the truck cost a little over $1, while its maintenance expenses had been almost nonexistent.

So, while it hadn’t been the most glamorous vehicle on the road, this $2,000 Chinese electric truck had certainly proved its worth.

After five years of hauling, dumping and surviving Florida weather, it seemed the internet’s skeptics had underestimated it.

It was the little electric truck that could.

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Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.