A low-speed electric vehicle (LSEV), commonly known as an “old man’s joy” (老头乐 in Chinese), has reportedly begun deliveries, drawing significant attention for its striking resemblance to Xiaomi‘s yet-to-be-released YU7 SUV and the already launched SU7 sedan. This unauthorised vehicle features a design that closely mimics Xiaomi’s automotive aesthetic, including a front fascia similar to the SU7 and an SUV-like rear design reminiscent of the YU7.
Adding to the imitation, the LSEV sports a modified “M七” (七 is 7 in Chinese) logo, clearly playing on the Xiaomi brand. The emergence of this vehicle has sparked widespread discussion online, raising concerns about the safety and regulatory oversight of such LSEVs.
The “old man’s joy” is formally known as a “miniature low-speed electric passenger vehicle.” These vehicles typically have a top speed of 40-60 km/h (25-37 mph), a range of 50-70 km (31 to 43 miles), and are priced between 10,000-30,000 yuan (1,380 to 4,140 USD). They are primarily electric-powered and can be conveniently charged using a standard household power strip, eliminating the need for a dedicated charging pile.
The “old man’s joy” gained popularity around 2007 due to its affordability and simple registration process, leading to an explosive growth in sales and a market presence that once exceeded 10 million units.
However, these vehicles have been associated with frequent traffic accidents due to inherent quality defects and common violations such as driving against traffic, illegal parking, and running red lights. Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in 2017 revealed that 830,000 low-speed electric vehicle accidents occurred nationwide over five years, resulting in 18,000 fatalities and 186,000 injuries.
In response to these safety concerns, various regions across China, including Beijing, began prohibiting unauthorised electric tricycles and quadricycles from January 1, 2024. This means that these popular “old man’s joy” vehicles are no longer permitted on roads or in public spaces such as squares and parking lots.
Despite these regulations, the market for “old man’s joy” vehicles persists, and production has not ceased. Some manufacturers admit that specific models cannot be officially registered, but enforcement is less strict in suburban and rural areas, leading many users to operate them without license plates. Online sales platforms continue to sell these vehicles, with some merchants even providing “kind” reminders that “electric quadricycles cannot obtain official license plates, so those who mind should not purchase.”
