These guys went to China to explore the local EV market and the vehicles were so small they thought they’d accidentally rented toy cars
- These Chinese EVs were not to the standards of the BYD and IML6
- But rather more like electric dodgems
- These tourists thought they’d accidentally rented toy cars
Published on Feb 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM (UTC+4)
by Jack Marsh
Last updated on Feb 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The Chinese EV market might not be advancing just as we thought, as these guys took a trip to a local store and left thinking they had rented toy cars.
For some time now, China has been building up its car manufacturing status.
Shifting gears from cheap knock-off alternatives, many now see some of the Chinese EVs as the best in their field.
But over in China itself, some local stores are renting out EVs that are so small they’re leaving tourists baffled.
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Chinese EV for rent frightens tourists like driving toy cars
Chinese EVs have begun to rival the likes of Tesla, with brands like BYD and the IML6 closely matched.
Some are even more technologically advanced than those in the Western hemisphere.
But YouTube creators over at Elliot Richards on EVs found that certainly wasn’t always the case.
On a visit to Jining, China, the two tourists chose each other’s cars, and, in typical style, one was much more gimmicky than the other.
Elliot Richards on EVs
Both of the Chinese EVs were tiny two-seaters, but after a quick drive, suspicions began to arise as to whether they were more like the Mini Jeep toys than actual cars.
The smallest of the cars, a Lao Tou Le, had a very weak suspension that wobbled when you pushed the car, and steering that would frighten even the most experienced drivers.
It had a cute kitty sticker, too.
“From having a decade of driving experience, this small car completely subverts our concept of driving. Braking, acceleration, and all other operations are all similar to a car, but also extremely different,” they said.
“It’s about 60 percent on the way to being a proper EV.”
The EVs were much more like Dodgems than real cars, and this was reflected in some of the driving habits.
These miniature Chinese EVs are a long way off the XPeng flying cars that are predicted to hit the market,
If you really want to see how Chinese manufacturing has progressed though, our video comparing a $3,500 Dodge Ram replica to the real deal could be right up your street.
