What are the cheapest priced Chinese electric cars and what is the mileage range, and are they street legal in America?

Let’s break this down into the three parts of your question: the cheapest priced Chinese electric cars, their mileage range, and whether they’re street legal in America. Cheapest Priced Chinese Electric Cars Chinese automakers are known for producing some of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) globally, though many aren’t directly available in the U.S. due to tariffs, safety regulations, and market strategies. Here are some notable examples based on available pricing from China or markets where they’re sold: Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV: This tiny city car, produced by a joint venture between SAIC, General Motors, and Wuling, starts at around $5,000 USD in China. It’s one of the cheapest EVs in the world. Changli NEMECA (or similar Changli models): Sold through platforms like Alibaba, these micro-EVs start at about $900-$1,200 USD before shipping and import costs. They’re marketed as personal transport for short distances. BYD Seagull: Launched in 2023, this compact hatchback starts at roughly $10,000-$11,000 USD in China, offering a more conventional car design.

XPeng Mona M03: Introduced in 2024, this budget-friendly EV starts at around $16,890 USD (based on currency conversion from its Chinese price), making it one of XPeng’s most affordable offerings. Ora Good Cat (Great Wall Motors): This compact hatchback costs about $16,000 USD in China, slightly less than the XPeng Mona M03. These prices reflect base models in China and don’t include shipping, tariffs, or modifications needed for other markets, which can significantly increase the cost for U.S. buyers attempting to import them. Mileage Range The range of these EVs varies widely depending on their size, battery capacity, and intended use. Here’s the mileage range for the examples above, typically based on China’s CLTC testing cycle (which tends to be more optimistic than the U.S. EPA standard): Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV: Offers a range of about 75-120 miles (120-200 km), depending on the battery version (9.3 kWh or 13.9 kWh). Real-world range might be closer to 50-100 miles under U.S. conditions. Changli NEMECA: Claims around 28 miles (45 km) of range with its small lead-acid or lithium battery options. Testing by users like Jason Torchinsky suggests this is optimistic, with real-world use likely lower. BYD Seagull: Provides up to 190 miles (305 km) on the CLTC cycle with its base 30.08 kWh battery, or 252 miles (405 km) with the larger 38.88 kWh option. EPA-equivalent range might be around 150-200 miles. XPeng Mona M03: Offers 320 miles (515 km) with its 140 kWh battery or 385 miles (620 km) with the 160 kWh version, per CLTC. Converted to EPA standards (typically 70-75% of CLTC), this could be roughly 225-290 miles. Ora Good Cat: Delivers around 261 miles (420 km) with its 47.8 kWh battery under CLTC, likely translating to 180-200 miles EPA. Note that CLTC ranges are often higher than what you’d see in U.S. testing due to differences in driving conditions and methodology. Real-world performance in America could be lower, especially in varied climates or with aggressive driving. Street Legal in America? Whether these cars are street-legal in the U.S. depends on compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and environmental regulations from the EPA. Here’s the status for each: Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV: Not street-legal in the U.S. as a standard passenger car. It lacks safety features like airbags, advanced crash protection, and proper lighting required by FMVSS. It’s designed for China’s less stringent urban vehicle rules and isn’t sold here officially. Changli NEMECA: Can be registered in some states as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV), legal on roads with speed limits of 35-40 mph or lower. It requires turn signals, lights, and seat belts, which some models include, but it doesn’t meet full FMVSS for higher-speed roads. Importers must handle registration, which varies by state. BYD Seagull: Not currently sold in the U.S., so it’s not certified for American roads. Importing one would face a 27.5% tariff (recently raised to 100% in 2024 under Biden’s policy), plus costs to meet FMVSS and EPA standards—unlikely to happen without BYD establishing U.S. production. XPeng Mona M03: Not available in the U.S. and not certified for FMVSS. XPeng has focused on China and Europe, with no immediate plans for American sales. Importing would face similar tariff and compliance hurdles. Ora Good Cat: Not sold in the U.S. and not FMVSS-compliant as is. Great Wall Motors has explored international markets like Europe but hasn’t tackled U.S. certification. Why Aren’t They Widely Available in the U.S.? Most of these vehicles aren’t street-legal for general use in America because they’re built for China’s market, where regulations are less strict. The U.S. imposes a 27.5% tariff on Chinese-made cars (now 100% as of 2024), plus additional costs to meet safety and emissions standards, making them less competitive even if imported. Exceptions like the Changli can fit into niche LSV categories, but they’re limited to low-speed zones. Companies like BYD or XPeng could theoretically sell here by building U.S. plants (to avoid tariffs) and certifying vehicles, but political tensions, consumer perception, and competition from domestic brands like Tesla deter this. Final Notes The cheapest Chinese EVs—like the Wuling Mini EV ($5,000, 75-120 miles) or Changli NEMECA ($900-$1,200, ~28 miles)—offer incredible value but are either restricted to LSV status or not legal at all without significant modification. More robust options like the BYD Seagull ($10,000-$11,000, ~190-252 miles) or XPeng Mona M03 ($16,890, ~320-385 miles) show China’s capability, but they’re not accessible to American buyers without import hurdles. For now, the Chevy Bolt EV ($23,500 after tax credits, 259 miles EPA) remains one of the cheapest fully street-legal EVs in the U.S.