Electric tourist car businesses "call for help", Da Nang Department of Construction speaks up

On June 16, the Department of Construction of Da Nang City informed about the operation of 4-wheeled motorized passenger vehicles ( tourist electric vehicles - PV) in response to the article "After Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat, it is the turn of tourist electric vehicles in Da Nang to call for help" published in the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper on June 7.

Xe điện du lịch Đà Nẵng cầu cứu: Sở Xây dựng thành phố lên tiếng- Ảnh 1. — Da Nang tourist electric cars "shelved" due to regulations

According to the Department of Construction, since Da Nang was allowed by the Prime Minister to pilot electric tourist cars, 4 businesses have invested in 85 cars and put them into operation (before 2017). By December 2024, 15 more cars will be invested and put into operation.

"Based on the assessment of the pilot activities, the Government has requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to announce that the pilot will only be implemented until December 31, 2024," the Department of Construction of Da Nang City added.

Also according to the Department of Construction, from January 1, 2025, the operation of tourist electric vehicles will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and the Road Law.

Specifically, according to Clause 1, Article 34 of this Law: "A four-wheeled motor vehicle is a vehicle with four or more wheels, powered by an engine, designed and manufactured to operate on roads, structured to carry people, with a design speed not exceeding 30 km/h, and a maximum number of people allowed to carry 15 people (excluding the driver)".

At the same time, Decree 165/2024/ND-CP stipulates that "From February 15, 2025, for four-wheeled motor vehicles, operations will only be organized on routes with signs indicating a maximum operating speed of 30 km/h applicable to all vehicles participating in traffic; for four-wheeled motor vehicles, operations will only be organized on routes with signs indicating a maximum operating speed of 50 km/h applicable to all vehicles participating in traffic".

Xe điện du lịch Đà Nẵng cầu cứu: Sở Xây dựng thành phố lên tiếng- Ảnh 2. — Unemployed tourist electric car driver changes career to become Grab bike driver

Regarding the proposal to install additional speed signs for tourist electric vehicles to operate properly, the Department of Construction said that this needs to be done in accordance with the provisions of the law on road signs and based on the actual conditions of the section, route, traffic infrastructure, traffic volume, vehicle type and time of day, ensuring traffic safety and effective operation.

In addition, the Department of Construction of Da Nang City said that the actual operation of tourist electric vehicles still has some limitations and shortcomings that affect the security, order and traffic safety situation. Previously, the Traffic Police Department requested localities to strictly implement the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and Decree No. 165/2024/ND-CP on management and control of the operation of tourist electric vehicles.

"The Department of Construction and local State management agencies always acknowledge the contribution of road transport businesses to the economic and tourism development of the city, and share some of the difficulties businesses face when having to change the scope of operation of four-wheeled motorized passenger vehicles.

However, in order to achieve the city's sustainable development goals, activities related to electric tourist vehicles must ensure that they do not affect or conflict with other types of vehicles participating in traffic, especially the normal travel activities of the majority of people" - Department of Transportation and Traffic Safety, Department of Construction of Da Nang City said.

Previously, as reported by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper , after nearly 4 months of suspension of operations, the Da Nang electric tourist car business fell into exhaustion, more than 200 workers had their jobs affected, and drivers had to work for Grab.

Suffering heavy damage, businesses have submitted petitions to the government, media agencies and press.

Da Nang does not direct or call on businesses to invest in more vehicles.

In response to businesses' feedback on vehicle investment under the city's direction, the Department of Construction of Da Nang City said that during the pilot phase of electric tourist vehicle operations, the City People's Committee and local authorities always support and create the best conditions for businesses to operate.

"This is a pilot type of transport, this type of vehicle operates within a limited range, so the City People's Committee and the Department of Transport (now the Department of Construction) do not direct or call on businesses to invest in more vehicles" - the announcement clearly stated.