'Sanbengzi' from China's 'EV hometown' gains popularity by boosting global green transport

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By Hu Yuwei (Global Times) 09:59, February 10, 2025

Editor's Note:

In recent years, with the continuous upgrading of China's products and the acceleration of internationalization, many local specialties in China have gradually broken regional boundaries and entered global markets, becoming new favorites among international consumers. In this "My Treasured Hometown" series, we will focus on these distinctive local products and explore how, through preserving the traditions and making innovations to break new ground, they have evolved from small workshops and family factories into internationally recognized brands.

The final installment tells how electric tricycles, commonly used in Chinese towns and rural areas for transporting goods, are now more appealing to global consumers due to their effortless driving, spaciousness for both passengers and cargo, affordability, and lack of fuel requirements.

During the vibrant Spring Festival holiday in China, electric tricycles became the heartbeat of bustling rural China, weaving through streets filled with laughter and festival greetings. Families load these colorful vehicles with festive goods, from fragrant dumplings to bright red lanterns, as they visit relatives and friends. The electric tricycle, with its cost-effectiveness, ease of use and eco-friendly charm, has captured the hearts of many.

Over the past two years, this important mode of transport has begun to make its mark on the global stage. Its affordability and versatility have attracted attention far beyond China. American farmers, Mexican street vendors and African rural women have embraced the electric tricycle as a practical tool for their daily needs, celebrating its ability to navigate both urban and rural landscapes with ease. As it rolls into new markets, the electric tricycle continues to bridge cultures and communities, proving that made-in-China products truly know no boundaries.

The electric tricycle is affectionately known as "Sanbengzi" in China. The term in Chinese directly translates to "three-wheeled vehicle," which is a straightforward description of the vehicle's design. It is popular in many parts of China for transportation and delivery purposes.

In early 2024, a resident of the US took a ride on an electric tricycle, sparking both curiosity and admiration among neighbors. This tricycle features a stylish design, impressive functionality and a distinctive warning sound that announces, "Please pay attention, I'm backing up!" Videos of this unique vehicle have gained considerable traction on social media abroad, with some users even dubbing it their "dream vehicle."

The electric tricycle that has wowed US residents is made by a motor factory in the Xishan Electric Vehicle Industrial Park in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province.

Xishan has earned a reputation as the "hometown of Chinese electric vehicles," producing one out of every three e-bikes globally. Xishan is the largest R&D and manufacturing base for electric vehicles in China, with an annual output of over 15 million units. Its industry scale, competitive pricing and complete industrial chain have drawn global attention to its products, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

With their products now available in over 140 countries and regions, many electric vehicle companies in Xishan have established factories and sales networks overseas. They are realizing localized production, as well as sales and after-sales services, cementing their status as global players, according to Xinhua.

In early 2024, Luo Hao, a 26-year-old Chinese graduate in Laos Angeles, having noticed a growing buzz around the electric tricycle on social media platforms across the US, decided to import a batch of these "quirky vehicles" from China and sell them in the US.

Within just one month, he had sold nearly thirty of these tricycles, almost his entire stock, each one a testament to innovation and practicality. By the end of 2024, Luo had successfully sold hundreds of "Sanbengzi," transforming his venture into a thriving business.

His short videos posted on social media often showcased local farmers marveling at this mysterious contraption from the East. They were astonished to discover that this electric tricycle was not only significantly cheaper than a golf cart but also boasted a larger carrying capacity.