In 2024, Beijing issued a complete ban on low-speed three- and four-wheeled electric vehicles on roads and in public parking lots. The ban followed a two-year transition period, meaning that prior to this, residents had been encouraged by the city government to abandon these vehicles for an extended time.

Low-speed three-wheeled electric vehicles on a Beijing street. Photo: VCG

These electric vehicles are nicknamed "laotou le," meaning "old people's joy," referring to the slow-moving three- or four-wheeled electric vehicles popular among senior citizens in China for short-distance travel.

"Laotou le" vehicles are not subject to standard traffic regulations and don't require a driver's license, making them popular among the elderly. Their affordability and ease of parking have also made them a top choice for senior citizens, who often use them for tasks like taking grandchildren to school or going to the market.

However, due to concerns about safety and vehicle management, several cities have issued bans or restrictions on these vehicles in recent years. In 2021, Beijing introduced stricter regulations and gave residents time to phase out non-compliant "laotou le" models. In 4/2023, the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau emphasized that the term "electric vehicles for the elderly" (referring to "laotou le") was created by manufacturers, noting that these vehicles are illegal.

A woman drives a three-wheeled electric vehicle in Beijing. Photo: VCG

Furthermore, police have pointed to the manufacturers' tendency to use cheap, low-quality components, leading to instability and an increased risk of accidents. These three- and four-wheeled electric vehicles often lack basic safety features like seat belts and impact-resistant structures, and use batteries prone to fire and explosion hazards.

In 2018, the China Traffic Management Department recorded 830,000 traffic accidents involving substandard electric motorcycles over five years, resulting in 18,000 deaths and 186,000 injuries. In 2022 alone, Beijing reported 131 traffic accidents caused by "laotou le," resulting in 138 fatalities. In 11/2023 in Henan province, a 22-year-old teacher was killed by a "laotou le." Following the accident, authorities attributed the fault to the driver, a man in his seventies.

Wei Zhensheng, Deputy Director of the Transport Expert Committee of the Beijing Lawyers Association, told the *Beijing Daily* that in traffic accidents, authorities often classify three- and four-wheeled electric scooters for the elderly as motor vehicles.

Because these vehicles and their drivers are not fully registered and licensed, the elderly often bear the primary responsibility in traffic accidents. Wei added that in cases of serious accidents, drivers can face criminal prosecution.

"Laotou le" parked outside a hospital in Shanghai, where they are banned with exceptions for people with disabilities. Photo: *Wang Yuanyuan*

Zhang Xiang, Director of the International Collaborative Research Center for Digital Automobiles, believes that Beijing's ban on "laotou le" will significantly impact the low-speed electric vehicle industry. However, demand for these vehicles remains high in rural areas and smaller cities, where residents have lower incomes and face difficulties purchasing cars.

Following Beijing's restrictions on "laotou le," Zhang suggests that small, four-seat, three-door new energy vehicles that require driver's licenses, registration plates, and insurance could become a viable alternative for the elderly's transportation needs. Since 2020, China has allowed people over 70 to take driving tests for small cars and electric motorcycles, providing them with safer transportation options.

Hu Tan (according to *Sixth Tone*)