The practice of labeling high-powered vehicles as electric bicycles not only complicates management but also poses a potential risk of accidents and fires.
The label says 240W, but the actual power output is 600W.
Surveying several electric bike sales websites and social media groups, we found many models advertised for students, priced from 8 million to over 15 million VND. These bikes are compact, have pedals, and lack license plates, yet sellers emphasize their ability to "climb hills," "carry two people," and "run faster than standard bikes." When asked about a model for middle school students, one seller described a pedal bike with a stated power output of under 250W. However, when asked about actual speed, the seller stated that the bike could be "tuned" to reach speeds of around 45-50 km/h, depending on the load and battery type.
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| Police in Van Ban commune ( Lao Cai province) are taking a modified electric bicycle belonging to a student to be restored to its original design. Photo: THU THUY |
Looking to buy a vehicle for his child who is about to enter 9th grade, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, from Khuong Dinh ward, Hanoi , said: “From the outside, I can't tell the difference between an electric bicycle and an electric motorbike. The seller said the vehicle has pedals so students can ride it, but when I test-drove it, I found that it accelerates quite quickly. For students who don't have much experience handling situations, that speed is very worrying.”
In early May 2026, Team 1 of the Hanoi City Market Management Department inspected an electric vehicle business in the city. The vehicle labels indicated a 240W motor and a speedometer limit of 25km/h, consistent with the description of an electric bicycle. However, during the inspection, authorities determined that many vehicles had a minimum power output of 600W, with some reaching speeds of around 50-60km/h. A total of 29 electric vehicles of unknown origin were discovered and seized. Comrade Hoang Dai Nghia, Team Leader of Market Management Team No. 1, Hanoi City Market Management Department, stated: “When vehicles can reach speeds of 50-60 km/hour, the risk of accidents is very high, especially when the drivers are students with limited observation and situational handling skills. Introducing high-powered vehicles to the market under the guise of electric bicycles not only violates regulations on product origin, labeling, and quality but also distorts the trend of transitioning to green transportation. Developing green transportation must go hand in hand with ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with the law.”
Sharing the same view, Mr. Do Thanh Truyen, owner of Truyen Anh electric bicycle repair shop in Van Xuan commune, Phu Tho province, said: “Recently, my shop has frequently received electric bicycles that have had their controllers, motors, or batteries replaced to increase speed. More worryingly, many bikes only have their motor power increased, controllers replaced, or have larger capacity batteries installed, but the braking system, tires, frame, and shock absorbers remain unchanged. When the speed increases to 50-60 km/h, the parts originally designed for a slow-speed bike may not be able to withstand the force and stop safely. Bikes with small wheels, light weight, and low frames are even more prone to losing balance when steering or braking suddenly.”
Legal responsibility cannot be taken lightly.
Lawyer Tran Quyet, from the Hanoi Bar Association, stated: “According to Government Decree No. 168/2024/ND-CP, the penalties for arbitrarily altering the structure of motorcycles and mopeds are as follows: A fine of 4 million to 6 million VND for individuals and 8 million to 12 million VND for organizations that own motorcycles, mopeds, and similar vehicles who commit one of the following acts: Arbitrarily changing the frame, engine, shape, size, or characteristics of the vehicle. Therefore, modifying an electric bicycle to change the voltage, capacity, structure, or electrical system constitutes altering the vehicle's characteristics and is subject to the aforementioned penalties. In addition to the fine, individuals and organizations will be required to restore the vehicle to its original condition. If the act causes serious consequences such as fire, explosion, or injury, criminal liability may be considered.”
Furthermore, tampering with the engine, wiring, controller, battery, and accumulator increases the risk of overload and short circuits. The risks are even more serious if the vehicle uses components of unknown origin, is manually wired, or is charged overnight indoors, in rented rooms, apartment basements, and other places without designated charging areas.
Before the start of the school year, parents need to determine their child's transportation needs and age before choosing a vehicle. When buying a vehicle, they should request that the business provide an invoice, proof of origin, quality certificate, and clear information about engine power, design speed, battery or accumulator.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/cac-van-de/can-trong-voi-xe-dien-do-che-1046759
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