Strengthen inspection and strictly handle drivers of four-wheeled vehicles with electric or gasoline engines that violate the law.

To manage, rectify, and overcome existing shortcomings and limitations in the operation of electric vehicles, the Provincial People's Committee recently issued Document No. 1559/UBND-XD dated April 1, 2024, requesting relevant agencies, units, and localities to strengthen the management of four-wheeled vehicles with electric or gasoline engines (electric vehicles) in the province.

A1 (2).JPG — Traffic police officers from the Sa Pa town police force are inspecting the operating conditions of electric vehicles in the area.

Accordingly, the Department of Transport will take the lead, in coordination with relevant authorities and local governments, in conducting a comprehensive inspection of compliance with regulations on passenger transport business using electric vehicles, to be completed before April 30, 2024. It will also advise and propose to the Provincial People's Committee to report to the Ministry of Transport and the Government to submit to the National Assembly amendments and additions to the 2008 Road Traffic Law, including adding electric vehicles for sightseeing and tourism within restricted areas as official means of transport; and amending and supplementing relevant legal documents on the management and penalties for the operation of four-wheeled motor vehicles (electric or gasoline-powered) carrying passengers when participating in traffic.

The People's Committee of Lao Cai City, Sa Pa Town, and the districts of Bac Ha, Bao Yen, and Van Ban are directing functional forces to coordinate with the Provincial Police and the Inspectorate of the Department of Transport to inspect and strictly handle violations, especially those involving: charging fares that do not conform to the declared and posted prices; violations regarding stopping, parking, and picking up/dropping off passengers on routes; and organizations and individuals arbitrarily operating vehicles for public passenger transport without a license. Functional forces are also directed to investigate and strictly handle, according to regulations, situations where drivers collude with service businesses to receive percentages or commissions, causing disturbances and disrupting security and order in the area. For units that repeatedly violate regulations, based on current regulations, they will advise and propose to the Provincial People's Committee to temporarily suspend, revoke, or reduce the number of vehicles operating for that unit.

Electric vehicle passenger transport businesses should strengthen management and monitoring of electric vehicle operations; thoroughly educate, train, and require drivers to strictly adhere to regulations during their transport operations, and implement internal sanctions for drivers who violate these regulations; maintain regular and continuous data transmission and operation of vehicle tracking devices; declare fares based on VND/km or VND/trip (in cases with written contracts); and propose changes to the fare management method for electric vehicles, unifying the fare calculation method using a fare meter.

A1 (1).JPG — When drivers of four-wheeled vehicles equipped with electric or gasoline engines (electric vehicles) are detected, they will be strictly dealt with according to the law.

The Provincial Tax Department, in coordination with relevant agencies, units, and localities, will regularly inspect, compare, and review the tax compliance of electric vehicle operators in the province to prevent tax evasion and revenue loss.

Currently, no additional electric vehicles will be added to operate in Lao Cai city (beyond the number already approved by the Provincial People's Committee). This is because the current number of vehicles has essentially met the transportation needs of tourists and residents in Lao Cai city.

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