I. Scope and Terminology
• This specification applies to three-wheeled motorized freight vehicles powered by gasoline engines (commonly referred to in the industry as "gasoline tricycles"), and is classified under the management of three-wheeled vehicles in legal regulations. According to the national standard GB 18320-2025, a three-wheeled vehicle is a freight vehicle with a maximum design speed of 50 km/h or less and three wheels. This standard applies to the design, manufacture, inspection, testing, and usage information compilation of three-wheeled vehicles. The gasoline engine is only considered as a power type; compliance boundaries and test methods are subject to the three-wheeled vehicle regulations.
II. Vehicle and Structural Safety
• General Requirements for the Vehicle
○ Under normal operation and maintenance, there should be no unreasonable hazards; all components should be intact, reliably connected, and not loosened due to vibration.
○ After continuous driving of at least 10 km, a 5-minute stop should be performed to check the radiator, water pump, cylinder block, cylinder head, and heating system; there should be no obvious leaks.
○ The difference in ground clearance between symmetrical parts of the vehicle's exterior outer edge and the ground shall not exceed 20 mm; the deviation between the center plane of the front wheels and the symmetrical center plane of the rear wheels shall not exceed 20 mm.
○ The vehicle's power-to-weight ratio shall not be less than 4.0 kW/t; the mass utilization coefficient for dump-type three-wheeled trucks (curb weight greater than 1100 kg) shall not be less than 0.5, and for other types, not less than 0.65.
• Cab and Operating Space
○ The distance between the uppermost rear part of the extended cab seat and the rear wall of the cab shall not be less than 200 mm; the maximum width and depth of the main seat shall not be less than 400 mm; the width of the steering wheel-type passenger seat cushion shall not be less than 350 mm, and the depth shall not be less than 300 mm; double-row cabs are not permitted.
○ The center of the steering wheel (steering handle) shall be located on the longitudinal center plane of the main seat, with an offset of not more than 50 mm; the clearance with adjacent components shall not be less than 80 mm; the operating mechanism shall be flexible and reliable, with normal reset without interference, and its functions and operating directions shall be clearly marked; the pedals shall have anti-slip measures.
• Body, Doors, and Windows
○ The body should not have mirror-like reflections, and should not have structures that increase outward dimensions or have unreasonable cargo-carrying structures; the fully enclosed cab access passage should meet safety and accessibility requirements.
III. Power Transmission, Braking, and Stability
• Transmission and Driving Control
○ The transmission should not have an overdrive gear; a speed limiter should be installed; the driveshaft should operate stably and reliably.
• Braking System
○ Structural and performance requirements are specified for hydraulic/pneumatic braking systems; pneumatic systems require braking response time testing (see Appendix B); road test methods and performance limits for service and parking brakes shall be implemented according to standards.
• Tires and Wheels
○ Limits are specified for tire specifications, tread size, and wheel assembly runout to ensure that wear, heat dissipation, and driving stability meet safety boundaries.
• Stability and Self-Unloading Device
○ Side tilt stability angle requirements are specified for tank-type three-wheeled vehicles; structural and safety locking requirements are specified for side-tipping self-unloading devices to prevent unexpected lifting and instability during transport.
IV. Lighting, Signaling, Visibility, Electrical and Thermal Protection
• Lighting, Signaling, and Visibility
○ Clearly define the headlight beam position and total luminous intensity of the high beam; turn signals, reversing lights, retroreflectors, etc., should meet light distribution performance requirements; luminaires and signaling devices should have vibration stability and should not be externally obstructed; the performance, installation position, and angle of rearview mirrors should meet standard requirements to ensure rear and side visibility.
• Electrical System
○ Wire connectors should be secure; wire insulation and fuse installation should meet safety requirements; batteries should be placed in easily accessible maintenance locations; terminal insulation should be reliable; battery compartments should have openings; electrolyte should not leak onto components in operating positions.
• Hot Surfaces and Piping Layout
○ Requirements for hot surface protection devices or baffles should be specified; piping layout should avoid interference and risks with high-temperature surfaces, moving parts, exhaust vents, and electrical equipment; high-pressure pipelines should be securely fixed and, where necessary, protected.
V. Emissions, Noise, Labeling, and Testing
• Environmental Protection and Energy Consumption
○ Requirements are set for exhaust pipe direction and acceleration smoke opacity limits; exhaust pollutant emission limits shall be implemented according to standards; fuel consumption limits are set for three-wheeled vehicles equipped with diesel engines (gasoline engines can refer to similar testing methods for energy consumption consistency control and declaration).
• Labeling and Usage Information
○ Standardized requirements are set for Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), license plate (frame) settings, and instruction manual printing; the types, locations, and durability of safety signs are clarified, and Appendix A provides standardized requirements.
• Testing and Judgment
○ The standard provides measurement methods for whole vehicle requirements, ergonomic measurement methods such as seat/passage/steering wheel offset, performance testing methods such as braking response time and light distribution, and measurement methods for dimensional/mass parameters, manufacturing errors, and usage information; Appendix B provides measurement methods for the braking response time of the pneumatic system. Type testing, production consistency checks, and in-use conformity verification shall be carried out according to the standard clauses and appendices.
