When the tram weaves through every street

An electric car drives past a coffee shop, a familiar image in Long Xuyen City recently.

Every small street, every alley leading to the main road, every early morning market or after-school day, there is a faint shadow of a neat, light and somewhat modest electric car. However, that presence is becoming more and more evident, especially since 2024, people have begun to see the banana green electric taxis of Nam Thang taxi rolling on the streets of Long Xuyen and Chau Doc.

Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Quynh (Director of Nam Thang Rach Gia Joint Stock Company Branch in An Giang ) said: “We see that An Giang has great potential for passenger transport, while the market is still new, no business has invested systematically in electric taxis. This is our opportunity to go ahead, contributing to the implementation of the national strategy on green growth”.

If businesses are the pioneers, it is the people who are “pulling” electric vehicles deeper into life. In My Hoa ward (Long Xuyen city), Ngoc Phat Electric Vehicle Center is witnessing a stable number of customers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huyen (store manager) shared: “Electric vehicles are chosen because they are economical and easy to use. Many people, especially middle-aged women, students, the elderly... like compact vehicles that do not need to be filled with gas or have regular oil changes. One charge only costs a few thousand VND for 1kW of electricity.”

Although electric vehicles are modern and convenient, consumers still cannot avoid real-life collisions during use. Errors such as broken chains, damaged batteries, and battery drain still appear over time. However, the repair and warranty system is improving every day. “We have a service to come to customers’ places to repair their vehicles. The battery lasts for 1-2 years. If it needs to be replaced, customers can choose to exchange the old battery for a new one to save costs. Each battery costs about 500,000 - 600,000 VND, a vehicle uses 4-5 batteries depending on the model,” said Ms. Huyen.

Another slice of the urban electric vehicle picture comes from the people who are experiencing this change firsthand. Mr. Le Phu Loc (a resident of My Binh ward) said that he still uses both gasoline and electric vehicles, depending on the purpose of travel. “I use an electric vehicle in the inner city because it is economical and light, and I charge it at home. At first, I was worried about the battery, but in fact it works very well. Everyone wonders: How far can the vehicle run, is the replacement battery expensive, and what is the warranty like. But for me, the maintenance cost is low, the warranty is clear, and the manufacturers also support battery replacement, so I find it very reasonable,” he affirmed.

He also could not hide his optimism that if in 5 years, most people switch to electric vehicles, the streets will certainly be cleaner, less noisy, and the air more pleasant. Under the peaceful shell of a provincial city, electric vehicles are quietly changing people's travel habits, spending structures, and even their outlook on life. From the sound of the engine to the sound of a smooth ride, from the cost of gasoline to the cost of charging batteries, from maintenance concerns to peace of mind about warranties. Little by little, the city is changing quietly, but firmly.

And on the small roads of An Giang today, perhaps the most noticeable difference is the precious silence, the characteristic sound of a green transportation future entering daily life.

BICH GIANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/khi-xe-dien-len-loi-qua-tung-con-pho-a420410.html