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For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C Small three-wheel electric cars are becoming popular in densely populated cities across China, especially Beijing. This is because owners don't need a license to drive an electric vehicle, or EV, as it's currently not classified as a car in China. And commuters can use the city's bike lanes to dodge the notorious traffic congestions. It's a convenient mode of transport for many. [Li Hongming, Teacher]: "This kind of vehicle is smaller than a gas car. You don't need to sit in traffic jams. It saves time, and it doesn't need gas, which is quite expensive, so you can save money." The hooded three-wheel EV cruises at a maximum speed of about 19 miles an hour. It uses a removable battery that can be charged from a regular electrical socket at home. EV retailers say sales are booming. [Feng Luya, Shop Owner] "Now each month we can sell 50 to 80 vehicles. The customers say they're really useful." The price of a three-wheel EV ranges from $600 to $1,500—making it highly affordable. Cheaper, slower-speed EVs sell faster than the high-speed models. Even the highly state-subsidized BYD E6 high-speed model still costs about $60,000. This is way above what most city dwellers can afford. In rural China, farmers prefer the larger four-wheeled EVs with a top speed of 30 miles an hour. Last year, the Shandong Shifeng Group—a manufacturer of the slow-speed four-wheel EVs—sold 70,000 in Shandong Province alone. [Lin Lianhua, Vice President, Shandong Shifeng Group]: "In the city, there are subways and buses...on the farm, people rely on motorcycles and bikes...when people have to go out...riding a bicycle or motorcycle is uncomfortable and unsafe. So, they need something between a car and a bike that they can afford to buy and use." The trend is towards low-cost, slower-speed EVs although local authorities in Beijing have yet to officially approve them. Meanwhile, many fuel-conscious city commuters seem happy cruising on the slow lane.