According to the newly released national standard for electric tricycles, starting in 2025, strict classification management will be implemented nationwide for electric tricycles. The core objective is to improve road safety and standardize vehicle production and use:
All legally road-legal electric tricycles must pass the national mandatory product certification (CCC certification) and be listed in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's "Announcement of Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Products" to ensure legal vehicle origin and technical compliance.
Vehicle technical parameters are the key basis for determining compliance. According to GB/T 5375-2024 and the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles," the maximum design speed of an electric tricycle must not exceed 25 km/h, the rated power of the motor must not exceed 400W, and the nominal voltage of the battery must not exceed 48V. The curb weight (including battery) must not exceed 55 kg, the width of the vehicle body must not exceed 450 mm, the height must not exceed 1100 mm, and the center distance between the front and rear wheels must not exceed 1250 mm. Meanwhile, vehicles must be equipped with headlights, brake lights, reflectors, and a remaining battery power indicator. Braking distance at 20 km/h must not exceed 7 meters to ensure basic safety performance meets standards.
Electric tricycles must be legally registered and display motor vehicle license plates. Based on their intended use, they are divided into two categories: freight tricycles and fully enclosed passenger tricycles are both classified as regular three-wheeled motorcycles and require yellow license plates with black lettering. Some recreational tricycles that meet non-motorized vehicle parameters can apply for blue license plates with white lettering, but in most areas, they are managed as motor vehicles. All vehicles must be insured with compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance (compulsory insurance); otherwise, they are not allowed to be driven on the road.