Living in China: Why I Spent $350 on a Scooter ($0 on Gas!)
About this video
The video shows the creator's experience with an electric scooter in Nanning, China, highlighting its affordability, freedom, and the local traffic rules for e-bikes. It also reflects on the personal joy and quiet moments the scooter brings to daily life.
Video transcript
In this city of 8 million people, In this city of 8 million people, In this city of 8 million people, electric scooters rule the streets. And this $350 scooter is my entire And this $350 scooter is my entire And this $350 scooter is my entire private kingdom. In years when every expense needed In years when every expense needed In years when every expense needed careful planning, this tiny throttle was careful planning, this tiny throttle was careful planning, this tiny throttle was the only part of my life I could truly the only part of my life I could
truly the only part of my life I could truly control. I bought it out of absolute necessity. I bought it out of absolute necessity. I bought it out of absolute necessity. It cost me $2,499 RMBB, about $350 RMBB, about $350 RMBB, about $350 USD. USD. USD. A full charge costs roughly 40 cents and A full charge costs roughly 40 cents and A full charge costs roughly 40 cents and gives me 70 kilometers of range. >> Even better, I charge it for free at >> Even better, I charge it for free at >> Even better, I charge it for free at work, so my
daily commute costs work, so my daily commute costs work, so my daily commute costs virtually nothing. Riding through these green canopies Riding through these green canopies Riding through these green canopies always reminds me of how I used to always reminds me of how I used to always reminds me of how I used to travel as a child. In primary school, I had no wheels. Rain In primary school, I had no wheels. Rain In primary school, I had no wheels. Rain or shine, I walked everywhere on foot. Back then, walking was my only choice. Back then, walking was
my only choice. Back then, walking was my only choice. Today, this humble scooter carries me Today, this humble scooter carries me Today, this humble scooter carries me through every season of my life. Electric two wheelers mean different Electric two wheelers mean different Electric two wheelers mean different regions. Here in Lanning, standard regions. Here in Lanning, standard regions. Here in Lanning, standard ebikes are built for affordable daily ebikes are built for affordable daily ebikes are built for affordable daily commutes. No driving license
is commutes. No driving license is commutes. No driving license is required. No mandatory annual inspection required. No mandatory annual inspection required. No mandatory annual inspection and there is no fuel tax. and there is no fuel tax. and there is no fuel tax. Standard ebikes count as non motor Standard ebikes count as non motor Standard ebikes count as non motor vehicles built purely for seamless vehicles built purely for seamless vehicles built purely for seamless effortless daily survival. It's worth noting that faster electric It's worth
noting that faster electric It's worth noting that faster electric motorcycles belong to motor vehicles. motorcycles belong to motor vehicles. motorcycles belong to motor vehicles. They require licenses, mandatory They require licenses, mandatory They require licenses, mandatory insurance, and have access restrictions insurance, and have access restrictions insurance, and have access restrictions downtown. Compared to cars with endless downtown. Compared to cars with endless downtown. Compared to cars with endless parking fees and gas bills, this was the
parking fees and gas bills, this was the parking fees and gas bills, this was the most practical choice when every penny most practical choice when every penny most practical choice when every penny counted. Low cost isn't the only reason I love Low cost isn't the only reason I love Low cost isn't the only reason I love it. It gives me something money can buy. it. It gives me something money can buy. it. It gives me something money can buy. Absolute personal space. Growing up, I was always a quiet, Growing up, I was always a quiet, Growing up, I was
always a quiet, sensible child, a cassun of sensible child, a cassun of sensible child, a cassun of accommodating others and taking up as accommodating others and taking up as accommodating others and taking up as little room as possible. long way. >> But on this scooter, I have zero >> But on this scooter, I have zero >> But on this scooter, I have zero obligations. obligations. obligations. I can slow down, pull over to watch the I can slow down, pull over to watch the I can slow down, pull over to watch the sunset, and just breathe.
In these brief sunset, and just breathe. In these brief sunset, and just breathe. In these brief moments, I only need to take care of moments, I only need to take care of moments, I only need to take care of myself. At 35, life still carries its burdens. At 35, life still carries its burdens. At 35, life still carries its burdens. The little girl who once wandered The little girl who once wandered The little girl who once wandered everywhere on foot can finally move everywhere on foot can finally move everywhere on foot can finally move forward at her
own rhythm. I didn't After a relaxing day of exploring around After a relaxing day of exploring around After a relaxing day of exploring around the city, parking the scooter gently the city, parking the scooter gently the city, parking the scooter gently brings my pleasant outing to a nice brings my pleasant outing to a nice brings my pleasant outing to a nice close. These little laidback moments are what These little laidback moments are what These little laidback moments are what make ordinary days feel joyful and make ordinary days feel joyful and
make ordinary days feel joyful and fulfilling. What small simple thing brings you quiet What small simple thing brings you quiet What small simple thing brings you quiet freedom in daily life? Feel free to freedom in daily life? Feel free to freedom in daily life? Feel free to share below.
