My childhood in China involved me riding on my dad's bicycle. He sometimes carried a family of 4 by pedaling. On two separate occasions at age 3 and 5, my foot got caught in the front wheel and we all flipped over and my ankles got twisted badly. So while I love my $48K truck, I have to say that these little cars are luxury for the developing world. We can't compare these cheap cars to big fancy cars. They're meant to replace bicycles, mopeds, or cheap scooters for people working their way up. They're finally protected from weather and far more protected from small collisions.
This is why I keep telling my folks and friends in the States that I felt liberated in China immediately after only a few days of stay. It's a different kind of freedom that brings me back there repeatedly. It's not "lawlessness"as quoted here, it's a structured randomness called stochastics achievable only in Chinese culture and society.
You can get a license to start a business in one afternoon in China and over 2 years to get one here in North America or you can smoke and drink in public where you would get a fine for drinking a beer in North America ...China has more personal freedoms that you would were get here in North America or Europe ! Would you rather live free 24/7 365 days a years in China or have this silly notion you have freedom to cast a silly ballot once every four years for billionaires to become your government ?
Tell that to the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities oppressed by the CCP. Here in USA we have morons protesting and chanting death to America with impunity whereas in China you would be jailed. Do remember that "freedom" can easily be taken away from you whenever the CCP feels the need to arbitrarily label you as a spy. Thanks China, but no thanks 🙄
the more freedom in china is when you visit their hospital. the system may confuse you at first, everything are digitalize and self service, but once you master it, you'll love it. it is fast, very modern, and transparent. and after cured, the hospital's bill will make you feel liberate.
@@winandd8649 How is driving these cars next to 5000lb pickups any less safe than driving motorcycles next to them. You are still safer in the cheap steel frames of these 4 wheeled cars then on a 2 wheel completely exposed motorcycle.
@@Wigington24 Four-wheeled vehicles can not be registered as motorcycles in the US. The only exception is that weird motorcycle with wheels sticking out the side (kind of like on "wings") for balance; and they have to be configured so only one of the side wheels can be on the ground at a time.
This is one of thr best videos I have ever seen made in China. It shows true soul of this place. So optimistic and about having joy in horrible world. Amazing.
Stan had the right of it when he said that the government should set a basic set of safety standards. Surely it would not cost that much more for manufacturers to make these very basic vehicles safe. Kind of surprising that the authorities turn something of a blind eye. Will be interesting to see if indeed they do ban them from 2026 onwards. Allowing for cultural differences, people are pretty much people wherever you go in the world. Given how popular laotoule are in parts of China, add in the relevant proper safety features, if you sold these or even set up pay as you go by the hour, ½ or 1 day service, I rather suspect they might be a runaway hit in crowded Asian and so-called 1st world countries. If you give people the choice of having something that just fits their needs rather than what has always been marketed to them as what's a 'minimum' & is in fact far more than that, suddenly they'll go, 'hang on a minute, maybe I'll try one of these instead', & suddenly they realise they have something that they just never knew they needed; landline telephones for mobile telephones after all are a great example. We've given up our landline as we found that we couldn't even remember when we last used it to make a call & almost never received any incoming calls on it anyway. After watching & listening to Fully Charged Show & yourself for many years, I've become much much more conscious of car size and I find myself taking a REALLY good look at what's on the local roads. Even in Swansea, a city that could hardly be considered 'crowded', lately I've noticed a phenomenal amount of really small 4 seater ICE, not much bigger or near to, the same size of a Wuling Mini. So it's not that much of a stretch to think that Laotoule would do well here, in the UK, Europe, and elsewhere outside of China.
I think they will be forced into a more legal and therefore safe direction. I also hope these types of vehicles become more popular - I am still delighted that the Wuling MiniEV is one of the best selling cars in the world - so there’s a clear demand there.
@@electricelliotrichards Agreed. I love the Wuling Mini and the European tiny EV's. The EV car buying public's reaction to them is so counterintuitive to what most people would imagine, given that they quickly sell out. If the oft reported reaction in your videos Elliott, are anything to go by, namely that of freedom, ease of use, & parking, it's one that should readily apply anywhere. A girlfriend bought an ICE Fiat years ago. She absolutely loved for all of the same reasons that people love Laotoule.
These would be great for "contained communities" like golf resorts where the speed limits are usually less than 30 mph (more like 15 to 20mph). Kind of like a super deluxe golf cart. But for regular driving on roads with big cars and trucks it could potentially be very dangerous, especially considering their almost total lack of safety features... But small cars like this, in general, are a good idea for saving money for the consumer, assuming it had added safety features like GOOD brakes, seatbelts and slightly stronger construction.
Idk man...$800 bucks? For that kind of mobility? It would make sense depending on where I needed to go and where I lived, especially for when I was young and didn't have money. Also you have protection from the elements..shoot I have a Onewheel that costs more than this thing and I'd probably get about the same speed but more protection.
As being said in the video, the vehicle is called “Lao tou le” - means “joy of old/stubborn/disabled old man”. These vehicles are not forbidden in many Chinese cities as they (or the drivers) don’t follow the traffic rules and thus caused too many accidents.
@@Gutraidh In theory, forbidden. In reality, traffic police rarely bother to stop and detain them, unless in most developed cities like Beijing, or center area of second-tier cities.
this costs cheaper than many electric bikes in western countries. at $800, this good or upscaled alternative to e-tricycles/long golf carts that are getting popular in our country. Airconditioning and getting protected from the elements is a big plus of this cheap EV over anything in this price range.
This has to be one of the most fun videos I’ve seen in a while. Haven’t finished the video but had to comment. What’s you’re friends RUclips channel, if he has one. Seems like a complete blast to be around 😂
This is the funest, the scariest, and the freest driving I have ever seen! If they ever sell one here even if it'll never be public road legal, I'll drop the money then and there!
I have been fascinated with Chinese cars and how weird they can be (90's Guangdong illegal imports for example) and its nice to see a great video on these cars!
Now this was hilarious ! If these can be had for $/€800 what does that say about the €6000 Citroën Ami 🧐 Coming from Ireland where much of the country is rural and isolation becomes a genuine problem seperated by dangerous roads, there would be a lot of demand for weather protected heavy quads if the price was right. I've seen one too many elderly people in their 4 wheel rascal scooters getting caught out in the rain and children sometimes without their parents diving into hedgerows to avoid the speeding VW crossover around a blind corner carrying that kid's schoolmates.
Definitely wont be able to climb a 50m 12 degree incline I have to take everyday.... Bummer. In spite of this, I love it if it can jack up the safety to 2.5/5.0 !!
Amazing 🤩 Truly shows that electric transport is by far the most affordable way of getting around ⚡🔋🚗🔌 Keep up the great work in bringing us these stories of cars few in the West have heard of!
I like them but the issue with all small EV’s now is that they drive on the pedestrian side walk. You walk and suddenly someone blow the horn behind you.
This things are exported to the Philippines, the popular one is the 3 wheel version, and yes any age can drive them without license they drive in the fast lane and changing lanes like a psycho causing accidents.
Get rid of western impact safety mandateress and let those who want safe vehicles make the informed adult choice to pay for them as we do with motorbikes. The nanny state is too expensive and despite nonsense to the contrary all life dies so what is really in question is individual longevity. Evolutions relies on death and the reward for great old age is a slow nasty demise vs. quick and easy in many fatal crashes so let the owner of each life choose how much safety they wish to purchase or install (roll cages etc).
My childhood in China involved me riding on my dad's bicycle. He sometimes carried a family of 4 by pedaling. On two separate occasions at age 3 and 5, my foot got caught in the front wheel and we all flipped over and my ankles got twisted badly. So while I love my $48K truck, I have to say that these little cars are luxury for the developing world.
We can't compare these cheap cars to big fancy cars. They're meant to replace bicycles, mopeds, or cheap scooters for people working their way up. They're finally protected from weather and far more protected from small collisions.
A great (but painful) story - thanks for sharing @GeorgeOu
You can't even get a bicycle for $800 in North America, this keeps you dry and that is what it's intended purpose is !
You can get a very nice Trek road bike for that price?
@@connorPiper0 Okay you can put your toddler on your Trek bike in the rain, they will put theirs in an EV and be dry ! ...LoL
@@etow8034 I agree, but it's crazy to say $800 would not buy you a bike. You can get a bike for less than $250 that's pretty nice.
Ive see a few import these over there
@@connorPiper0not ebike
CNN/BBC: .... but at what cost?
This is why I keep telling my folks and friends in the States that I felt liberated in China immediately after only a few days of stay. It's a different kind of freedom that brings me back there repeatedly. It's not "lawlessness"as quoted here, it's a structured randomness called stochastics achievable only in Chinese culture and society.
You can get a license to start a business in one afternoon in China and over 2 years to get one here in North America or you can smoke and drink in public where you would get a fine for drinking a beer in North America ...China has more personal freedoms that you would were get here in North America or Europe ! Would you rather live free 24/7 365 days a years in China or have this silly notion you have freedom to cast a silly ballot once every four years for billionaires to become your government ?
Funny you feel liberated in a country that bans this website (RUclips).
Tell that to the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities oppressed by the CCP. Here in USA we have morons protesting and chanting death to America with impunity whereas in China you would be jailed. Do remember that "freedom" can easily be taken away from you whenever the CCP feels the need to arbitrarily label you as a spy. Thanks China, but no thanks 🙄
the more freedom in china is when you visit their hospital. the system may confuse you at first, everything are digitalize and self service, but once you master it, you'll love it. it is fast, very modern, and transparent. and after cured, the hospital's bill will make you feel liberate.
Propoganda machine keeps churning chinese hate on the internet.
i'm glad you show the cultural aspect and context behind these vehicles, not just joking about it like the typical western media
How can you not make a joke about them. They are rolling pieces of shit.
I absolutely LOVE these kind of interesting vehicles, maybe you should do chinnese farm trucks and farm tricycles next time
Great idea!
I’ve always wondered about the tricycles from old pictures of Chinese roads. A video on one of them would be very interesting!
Gay ahh goofy ahh vehicles
I believe these are legally classified as electric quadracycles, not cars
You should be able to register as a motorcycle in the United States get it over with.
@@Wigington24 Sure, and then drive it between 5000lbs pickup trucks and other cars that even don't need a proper MOT or safety check in many states 😂
@@winandd8649
How is driving these cars next to 5000lb pickups any less safe than driving motorcycles next to them. You are still safer in the cheap steel frames of these 4 wheeled cars then on a 2 wheel completely exposed motorcycle.
@@adamn7516 I guess you're right, but at least wear a helmet 😉
@@Wigington24 Four-wheeled vehicles can not be registered as motorcycles in the US. The only exception is that weird motorcycle with wheels sticking out the side (kind of like on "wings") for balance; and they have to be configured so only one of the side wheels can be on the ground at a time.
Every income group should have ways in which to live dignified lives.
So much fun to watch. Also: that mini Smart #1 looks fantastically cartoonish. 😂
Honestly it feels more like a Smart than a real deal :/ ... they should take notes!
It's amazing in value and a godsend to old folks in rural areas who are not looking for things you are looking for.
This is one of thr best videos I have ever seen made in China. It shows true soul of this place. So optimistic and about having joy in horrible world. Amazing.
Grand Tour should make a special with these cars😂
Eliot as always love all your hosted show, especially the one you did to northern border with an EV, eyes opener!
Thanks, glad to hear it!
this is hillarious! i want one! for farm use only
ruclips.net/video/sgDpqd38HtQ/видео.html
Basically evolution of the tuktuk, rikshaw, kei cars etc.
Amazing presentation. Greetings from Tunisia.
Stan had the right of it when he said that the government should set a basic set of safety standards. Surely it would not cost that much more for manufacturers to make these very basic vehicles safe. Kind of surprising that the authorities turn something of a blind eye. Will be interesting to see if indeed they do ban them from 2026 onwards.
Allowing for cultural differences, people are pretty much people wherever you go in the world. Given how popular laotoule are in parts of China, add in the relevant proper safety features, if you sold these or even set up pay as you go by the hour, ½ or 1 day service, I rather suspect they might be a runaway hit in crowded Asian and so-called 1st world countries.
If you give people the choice of having something that just fits their needs rather than what has always been marketed to them as what's a 'minimum' & is in fact far more than that, suddenly they'll go, 'hang on a minute, maybe I'll try one of these instead', & suddenly they realise they have something that they just never knew they needed; landline telephones for mobile telephones after all are a great example. We've given up our landline as we found that we couldn't even remember when we last used it to make a call & almost never received any incoming calls on it anyway.
After watching & listening to Fully Charged Show & yourself for many years, I've become much much more conscious of car size and I find myself taking a REALLY good look at what's on the local roads. Even in Swansea, a city that could hardly be considered 'crowded', lately I've noticed a phenomenal amount of really small 4 seater ICE, not much bigger or near to, the same size of a Wuling Mini. So it's not that much of a stretch to think that Laotoule would do well here, in the UK, Europe, and elsewhere outside of China.
I think they will be forced into a more legal and therefore safe direction. I also hope these types of vehicles become more popular - I am still delighted that the Wuling MiniEV is one of the best selling cars in the world - so there’s a clear demand there.
@@electricelliotrichards Agreed. I love the Wuling Mini and the European tiny EV's. The EV car buying public's reaction to them is so counterintuitive to what most people would imagine, given that they quickly sell out. If the oft reported reaction in your videos Elliott, are anything to go by, namely that of freedom, ease of use, & parking, it's one that should readily apply anywhere. A girlfriend bought an ICE Fiat years ago. She absolutely loved for all of the same reasons that people love Laotoule.
These would be great for "contained communities" like golf resorts where the speed limits are usually less than 30 mph (more like 15 to 20mph). Kind of like a super deluxe golf cart. But for regular driving on roads with big cars and trucks it could potentially be very dangerous, especially considering their almost total lack of safety features...
But small cars like this, in general, are a good idea for saving money for the consumer, assuming it had added safety features like GOOD brakes, seatbelts and slightly stronger construction.
These are meant for inner city dwellers....not country freeways or highways
@@ranjusranjus143 Yep.
Idk man...$800 bucks? For that kind of mobility? It would make sense depending on where I needed to go and where I lived, especially for when I was young and didn't have money. Also you have protection from the elements..shoot I have a Onewheel that costs more than this thing and I'd probably get about the same speed but more protection.
north america could never. love this channel
Those wheels look about 6 inches diameter.
Very enjoyable video, thanks. 👍🏼
This bringes back Top Gear memories from the Golden age 😅 Super content… you are unique 👍
Thank you so much 😁
is it really bad that i like the lao tou le "car"
My dad drives a $3000 lao tou le and it's awesome for in-town trips
As being said in the video, the vehicle is called “Lao tou le” - means “joy of old/stubborn/disabled old man”. These vehicles are not forbidden in many Chinese cities as they (or the drivers) don’t follow the traffic rules and thus caused too many accidents.
not forbidden or forbidden?
@@Gutraidh In theory, forbidden. In reality, traffic police rarely bother to stop and detain them, unless in most developed cities like Beijing, or center area of second-tier cities.
I'm enjoying the new Elliot Richards on Lao Tou Le channel!
safer than a bike , better than a 2 cycle eng. no exhaust .
for short trips perfect .... low cost and stay dry
This is like a classic Top Gear cheap car challenge. God I wish we had classic TG back
You can probably drive this INTO Walmart in America. Probably fits between the aisles.
Might not fit most Walmart customers though. At least not two in a row...
Chinese culture is just crazy to us Europeans need to experience it once 😊😂
Isn't the Chang Li basically the same thing as these cars. A lot of car RUclipsrs are importing them and doing videos on them.
i remember when you could buy an old vw golf for 3800. Auto too. now it costs £950+ for an old manual fiat.
15:36 An Aston Martin DB9 as a newborn.
I'd buy half a dozen to display in my garden. So cute 🥰
this costs cheaper than many electric bikes in western countries. at $800, this good or upscaled alternative to e-tricycles/long golf carts that are getting popular in our country. Airconditioning and getting protected from the elements is a big plus of this cheap EV over anything in this price range.
This has to be one of the most fun videos I’ve seen in a while. Haven’t finished the video but had to comment. What’s you’re friends RUclips channel, if he has one. Seems like a complete blast to be around 😂
Excellent insight into the real China
This is the funest, the scariest, and the freest driving I have ever seen! If they ever sell one here even if it'll never be public road legal, I'll drop the money then and there!
I have been fascinated with Chinese cars and how weird they can be (90's Guangdong illegal imports for example) and its nice to see a great video on these cars!
Now this was hilarious !
If these can be had for $/€800 what does that say about the €6000 Citroën Ami 🧐
Coming from Ireland where much of the country is rural and isolation becomes a genuine problem seperated by dangerous roads, there would be a lot of demand for weather protected heavy quads if the price was right.
I've seen one too many elderly people in their 4 wheel rascal scooters getting caught out in the rain and children sometimes without their parents diving into hedgerows to avoid the speeding VW crossover around a blind corner carrying that kid's schoolmates.
It says that ami wasnt build by someone earning 300$ per month
@@NoName-md5zb the slave robots earn nothing
Those are essentially golf carts.
Absolutely brilliant!
Slow speed streets -- allow this freedom and human density....
Its a motorbike with shell 😅
You should really try and do a race day in these. I bet it would be fun... well actually it would be terrifying.
Driving it was terrifying enough...
I saw a house on wheels 😂 at 13:51.
Lmao
Stan is epic 👍🏽💪🏾 very good presenter
14:37 The price of this Wuling license plate is many times that of the car.
13:53 a driving food house，yes this exist in China, confirm as a Chinese.
Definitely wont be able to climb a 50m 12 degree incline I have to take everyday....
Bummer. In spite of this, I love it if it can jack up the safety to 2.5/5.0 !!
If you live in Dutch or Finland or Belarus is not big problem
These are not cars, they are luxury scooters.
There are some pretty looking ones,caught a few in ur camera pans
I would legit love to ride one of those cars
Costs less than a decent bicycle, I wouldn't complain at all. It'd be a great alternative to scooters in India
I like that your co-host wears pajamas
For that price, that is a bargain
They are vehicles that do the job at an affordable price and much less pollution.
Amazing 🤩
Truly shows that electric transport is by far the most affordable way of getting around ⚡🔋🚗🔌
Keep up the great work in bringing us these stories of cars few in the West have heard of!
Agreed fully! Whatever it is-just make sure it’s electric
omg, i love your quality content mate, you earned a subscriber here!
I like them but the issue with all small EV’s now is that they drive on the pedestrian side walk. You walk and suddenly someone blow the horn behind you.
Easy point A to point B mini car
Ridiculous but so much fun.
I love the big smiling face
How is after sales service?
By “illegal”, does he mean, not street legal?
They would be more interesting if they had gas powered motorcycle engines.
I want
Old can also afford and enjoy China Dream not just the Yuppie.
This things are exported to the Philippines, the popular one is the 3 wheel version, and yes any age can drive them without license they drive in the fast lane and changing lanes like a psycho causing accidents.
Just imagine have an accident on one of those toys.
A cultural bridge
This could bring mobility revolution to Africa. That itself is however a national security risk to the US.
Cart - Rickshaw - Moped - Mini EV. It's the natural progression.
Only those backward Westerners would want massive SUVs.
Still vastly safer than an electric scooter bike for about the same price.
I would like a small car, but even these are just way too small...
There were a lot of jokes about Japanese cars when the began conquering the American market and you see the results
I would have liked if you had share there contact I'm trying to get a enclosed mobility scoooter
You can find them on aliexpress
@@electricelliotrichards If you no mind what's their name on Aliexpress
I want to be Stan’s friend
Why the Narrator sound like Kai W?
they don't need to be and shouldn't be regulated more than a bicycle would be.
Golf cart for the rich, and some thing for the poor, is fare.
Give it 5 years...
What do you expect? A Mercedes?
Don't worry guy, poor americans will buy cheap Chinese EV.
It's depend on your budget.
Does it have AC? lol
老头乐用英语怎么说？happy old man？😂
If only doughnut could modify and race these.
Just need a motor and controller to swap out then take these to a go cart or an RC track.
I used to teach motorcycle skills on a RC track
#theskydoesn'tlie
These small EVs are so dangerous even the Chinese government is banning them
Yeah.....HELL NO!
when (if)arrive in italy, from 800 at 8000. Democratic price!
Chinese way to deal with the aging population:
Get rid of western impact safety mandateress and let those who want safe vehicles make the informed adult choice to pay for them as we do with motorbikes. The nanny state is too expensive and despite nonsense to the contrary all life dies so what is really in question is individual longevity. Evolutions relies on death and the reward for great old age is a slow nasty demise vs. quick and easy in many fatal crashes so let the owner of each life choose how much safety they wish to purchase or install (roll cages etc).
Golf Cart
Just one complaint... wearing the hat while indoors seems very strange Mr Elliot,
It was freezing cold and I don’t have hair!
💞Thanks💞
🌀☸️☯️🕉️🌀
Sino sphere
💚🐉🇨🇳🐉💚
💙🌀🇷🇺🌀💙
💓🌟🇰🇵🌟💓
💚🌻🇧🇾🌻💚
Probably the worst cars ever built
What's the title supposed to mea3, before you test it, you are already bias.
What utter dog 💩 motors 😅 #SKYDONTLIE
They're Golf carts with a plastic body ! LoL
How was the gutter oil BBQ ? 🤮
Its a golf cart.
This would never legally be on a north American roads
This is a Deathtrap and that fiid looks disgusting are they eating dog?