What is Laotoule?
3 Answers
Laotoule refers to elderly mobility scooters. Below are the relevant regulations for licensing elderly mobility scooters:1. Dimensions: The dimensions of the scooter must comply with standards; the body length should not exceed 3.5 meters, width should not exceed 1.5 meters, and height should not exceed 1.7 meters.2. Speed: The speed of the scooter should not exceed 70 km/h, and it must emit a warning sound when the speed is below 20 km/h.3. Weight: The vehicle weight should not exceed 750 kg.4. Battery: The battery weight should not exceed 30% of the vehicle's total weight.5. Configuration: The driver's seat must be equipped with safety features such as airbags and seat belts.
As someone who frequently drives in the city, I'm quite familiar with the 'Old Man Happy'—it's essentially a small, low-speed electric vehicle, usually not exceeding 20 kilometers per hour, making it particularly convenient for short trips. There's a parking lot right outside my house where elderly people often drive them to the market or visit friends. With its four-wheel design and simple seating, it doesn't consume fuel, runs on electricity, and can travel over ten kilometers on a single charge, all for just a few thousand yuan. However, it has many drawbacks: no license plate, no airbags, and a high accident risk. I remember last month's news about an elderly man flipping his 'Old Man Happy' while making a turn—fortunately, he was unharmed. So, using this kind of vehicle requires safety awareness, and it's best to avoid main roads.
From my personal experience, as an elderly person, I've been driving my low-speed electric vehicle for almost three years now, and it's truly a thoughtful little helper! Its compact size makes parking a breeze, perfect for navigating residential areas or country roads when running errands or visiting my spouse. The lightweight body and long battery life mean just half an hour of charging each morning provides enough power for half a day's travel. However, I'm fully aware of the risks – soft brakes and dim lights are common issues. My fellow senior drivers and I consciously avoid peak hours and have installed additional rearview mirrors and horns as safety precautions. Overall, it makes getting around much easier, but requires careful operation without complacency.
