Vietnam’s online news portal VietnamNet reports on the Capital City’s People’s Committee rejected a proposal to increase the number of electric cars to boost Hanoi’s tourism.
Electric Car Tour Proposal
Đồng Xuân Joint Stock Company submitted a proposal to increase the number of electric cars to boost Hà Nội’s tourism. The proposal also includes opening of electric car routes from the Old Quarters to the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature.
The electric car tour program first ran on July 17, 2010. The pilot program, which was approved by the City had twelve electric cars operating in a 7 km ring route starting from Dinh Tien Hoang Street to Hoan Kiem Lake area and Dong Xuan Market and back.
Electric Cars remains Unregulated
By the end of November 2015, there are over 1086 electric cars serving personal use and tourism. However, these vehicles are not officially regulated by the Ministry of Transportation, therefore administrative tasks such as driving license registration, safety control, traffic monitoring system, road tax policy, import and export taxes, etc., represent difficulties to businesses, as well as consumers and the authorities.
What’s Next for Electric Cars
The city is drafting a report for the Government and Ministry of Transport on the management of electric cars since there are currently no regulations on using this type of transportation, as well as requirements on quality standards and driving licenses. The city is also planning to limit the number of electric cars to ease traffic jams in the city.