Ho Chi Minh City proposes installing 20,000 battery swapping cabinets for electric motorbikes on sidewalks.

Illustrative photo: Hong Dat/TTXVN

Approximately 20,000 battery swapping cabinets for electric motorcycles are expected to be installed to meet the growing demand in the city.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction received a proposal from Great Wealth Trading and Service Company Limited and V-Green Global Charging Station Development Joint Stock Company to participate in the socialized installation of charging stations and battery swapping cabinets for electric vehicles at depots, bus terminals and bus stops, on sidewalks, and on lighting poles for electric and green energy vehicles.

Great Wealth Company proposes installing a 6-12 bay, 6-12 kW integrated battery switching cabinet, placed next to the existing street light pole. The cabinet uses a 220V power supply, drawn from the existing street light pole, in compliance with the power company's guidelines; it is equipped with a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB); electricity billing is done via a separate meter; and it has 4G monitoring connectivity.

This company is committed to deploying 10,000 battery swapping cabinets next to streetlights on suitable sidewalks, to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, serving all electric motorcycles from manufacturers such as Honda, Yadea, Yamaha, Vinfast , etc.

Meanwhile, V-Green Company proposed installing electric motorbike battery swapping cabinets with 6-12 trays and a capacity of 6-12 kW on spacious sidewalks, 0.5-1m from the curb, next to bus stops, in front of hospital walls, schools, museums, administrative offices, etc., without affecting surrounding residential areas. The area would provide space for electric motorbikes to change batteries, allowing the battery swapping process to be performed on the sidewalk without affecting pedestrian traffic.

V-Green Company is committed to deploying 10,000 battery swapping cabinets on suitable sidewalks, to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, creating opportunities for more than 400,000 ride-hailing and delivery drivers in Ho Chi Minh City.

Both businesses proposed to invest in, install, operate, and maintain the equipment themselves using their own company funds; they also committed to relocating themselves and not requesting compensation or filing claims when authorized by competent authorities to dismantle, relocate, or cease operations.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has approximately 100,000 electric motorbikes, 300 fast charging stations for electric motorbikes, and about 50 battery swapping points. According to the Department of Construction, the infrastructure serving electric motorbikes is still lacking and does not meet current needs (the general recommendation worldwide is approximately 50 electric motorbikes per charging station/battery swapping station). Most people are charging their motorbikes at home or in apartment buildings, which does not ensure electrical safety and fire prevention.

The Department of Construction is currently finalizing the report on the Project for Controlling Emissions from Transportation Vehicles, with a roadmap starting from 2029 to ensure that 100% of electric and green energy vehicles (approximately 400,000 vehicles) use electric technology, and proposing several policies to support the transition. The project forecasts that by 2030, there will be 1.2 million electric motorcycles in the city and over 25,000 public charging stations/battery swapping cabinets for electric motorcycles will need to be developed.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, installing electric motorbike battery swapping cabinets on sidewalks is necessary, practical, and easy to implement. This is a smart, cost-effective solution that utilizes existing infrastructure, reduces land pressure, mobilizes social resources, provides convenience for electric motorbike users, and ensures fire safety.

The Department of Construction has proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee approve the policy allowing the temporary use of sidewalks to install electric motorbike battery swapping cabinets on existing public streetlights, sidewalks, and median strips. Relevant units will develop and implement a plan for installing the battery swapping cabinets; agree on locations, grant construction permits, collect sidewalk usage fees according to regulations; and ensure traffic safety, electrical safety, fire prevention and control, and urban aesthetics.

Source: https://vtv.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-de-xuat-lap-20000-tu-doi-pin-cho-xe-may-dien-บน-via-he-100251216150707621.htm