500 MILE ROAD TRIP RACE IN $5,000 ELECTRIC CARS!

EV Channels Review

This video documents a 500-mile road trip race between three budget electric cars: a 2015 BMW i3, a 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV, and a 2012 Nissan Leaf Limo (with an added battery). The core challenge was the cars' limited range (around 50 miles new) and charging capabilities, compounded by extreme heat. The BMW i3, despite its small original battery and odometer rollback, proved surprisingly capable, potentially due to its larger battery pack and efficient operation. The Spark EV faced significant charging interoperability issues and a small battery, making its journey precarious. The Leaf Limo, with its added battery, aimed for more range but lacked liquid thermal management, posing a risk of overheating. The race highlighted the difficulties of long-distance EV travel with older, less capable vehicles, relying heavily on backup charging solutions like a Spark Charge trailer towed by a Tesla Cybertruck. The review emphasizes the ingenuity and challenges involved in making these budget EVs perform on a long journey.