Behind this phenomenon is the increasingly vibrant market for modifying electric vehicles. This warns of a danger when the speed of electric vehicles is pushed higher than their original design, leading to risks of traffic safety and fire.
Modifying a car isn't difficult.
According to some motorcycle experts, electric motorcycles traveling at high speeds and accelerating suddenly have often undergone technical modifications, also known as "tuning," such as replacing the motor with a higher-powered one, upgrading the electronic control unit (IC), replacing the battery with a higher-capacity one, or removing the speed limiter. While it might seem that electric motorcycle tuning is a complex and inaccessible activity, this service is actually being carried out quite openly.
Without hesitation, Nguyen Quoc Minh (from Tay Tuu ward) shared that in May 2026, he upgraded his electric motorbike at a repair shop on Thuong Cat street to increase its speed. Accompanying Minh to the shop, the reporter observed a large number of customers upgrading their vehicles each day, mostly teenagers, as the trend of modifying electric motorbikes is becoming fashionable among young people. To give the electric motorbike the same acceleration and performance as some common gasoline-powered motorbikes, the mechanics upgraded the controller to a higher power output and replaced the motor with a 1500W-3000W unit. After the upgrade, the motorbike can reach speeds of 70-90 km/h. The total cost was nearly 8 million VND.
In addition, it's quite common for customers to buy parts to customize their electric vehicles themselves. Tran Van Dat, from O Dien commune, said that upgrading the power of an electric vehicle isn't too difficult. Users can simply buy parts from a store or order them online, and install them themselves at a much lower cost than hiring a mechanic.
Modifying electric vehicles isn't limited to shops; it's also openly advertised online. A survey of the Facebook group " Hanoi Modified Electric Vehicles" revealed numerous posts selling high-powered motors, electronic controllers, battery cables, drivetrains, and other components for upgrading electric vehicle performance. Notably, many posts not only showcase the products but also promote the ability to "increase RPM," "boost top speed," and "increase maximum speed"—terms familiar in the vehicle enthusiast community referring to modifications that exceed the vehicle's technical limits.
In a Facebook post, an account named AC introduced high-power electronic controllers for electric vehicles. In many other posts, sellers readily quote prices for individual components, ranging from over 100,000 VND to 1 million VND per component, and offer on-site installation if requested. Under these posts, inquiries about prices, orders, and technical discussions take place quite openly.
Potential risks during operation.
Recently, on May 6th, Team 1 of the Market Management Department (Hanoi Market Management Sub-department) conducted a surprise inspection of TTFAIR Vietnam Production and Trading Joint Stock Company in Thanh Oai Industrial Cluster and discovered that the company was using electric motorcycle motor controllers to install in "VC BIKE" electric assist bicycles, allowing the vehicles to reach a maximum speed of 49 km/h, significantly higher than the typical technical specifications of this type of bicycle. Authorities temporarily seized 91 fully assembled electric assist bicycles and 82 controllers ready for production to continue verification and processing.
Previously, on May 5th, at the TL electric vehicle business on Khuat Duy Tien Street, authorities discovered 29 electric bicycles without invoices or documents proving their origin. Although advertised as having a 240W motor and a top speed of 25 km/h, these bicycles could actually use motors of 600W or more and reach speeds of up to 60 km/h.
According to Major Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Head of the Patrol and Control Team, Road Traffic Police Team No. 11 (Traffic Police Department of Hanoi City Police), since the beginning of the year, the unit has handled more than 3,100 cases of traffic violations by motorcycles, scooters, and electric motorbikes. Among these, many cases involved the use of electric motorbikes and electric bicycles in violation of regulations or showed signs of having their technical structure altered.
Major Nguyen Xuan Cuong stated that, along with public awareness campaigns, the authorities will continue to strengthen patrols and inspections, strictly handle violations, and apply prescribed measures such as temporarily seizing vehicles and driver's licenses for violators.
According to technical experts, increasing engine power and modifying the electrical system can significantly improve a vehicle's performance compared to its original design. However, if the chassis, suspension, and brakes are not upgraded accordingly, the vehicle may become unstable at high speeds, especially during sudden braking or steering maneuvers. Besides operational risks, replacing batteries or adding lithium battery packs that do not meet technical standards also increases the risk of short circuits, overheating, and fire.
If the unauthorized and uncontrolled modification of electric vehicle structures continues, the environmental and energy-saving benefits risk being offset by increased traffic accidents, fires, and social disorder. This is a problem that cannot rely solely on user awareness; it requires more coordinated and decisive action from relevant authorities.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hiem-hoa-tu-trao-luu-do-xe-may-dien-1160448.html
