It has become a trend in China as well as in Taiwan, where a large number of young people flock to buy electric wheelchairs to facilitate mobility and prioritize many services. Videos circulating on social media show dozens of healthy young people driving electric wheelchairs on the street.

A Taiwanese company, Nanmee Freerider, specializing in electric vehicles has had quite attractive products to customers showcased at the Taiwan Expo in Bangkok over the weekend. The company specializing in the design and manufacture of mobility devices and electric wheelchairs was founded in 1995. Their product lines cater to people with disabilities and have a line of small electric vehicles for short-distance travel, such as going to the supermarket or commuting in the park or apartment complex (traffic is not recommended).

Nanmee Freerider is one of More than 170 Taiwanese firms that have displayed their innovative products and solutions in five key categories, including Smart Cities, Smart Health, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Circular Economy, and Smart Lifestyle, at the event.

Young Chinese people in electric wheelchairs move on the street. Video: Strait Times

Thanks to the trend, sales of electric wheelchairs have increased, but the company always recommends not using them in traffic or as a substitute for transportation. Special wheelchair use only for people who are disabled or unable to walk for a short period of time.

For a new-style wheelchair, like a mini motorbike, the company only recommends moving in large yards, apartments, or going to supermarkets at close distance.

by Thi Dieu Linh Nguyen, Thai PBS World