Vietnam/ Developing infrastructure for the transition to electric vehicles
The transition to clean-energy transport is an inevitable trend. In Hanoi, this process is being implemented progressively according to a well-defined timetable.
Phan Truong Thanh, of Hanoi's Construction Department, reported that within the capital's Ring Road 1, around 600,000 residents live stably, with some 450,000 motorcycles in circulation. The policy of banning fossil fuel-powered motorcycles in this area from July1, 2026 will also affect residents outside the zone.
To implement Prime Ministerial Directive No. 20 of July 12, 2025, Hanoi will deploy progressive measures. The first step will be to assess the groups affected inside and outside ring road 1.
Next, the city will finalize policies on vehicle management, transport demand regulation, support for residents and businesses, and infrastructure investment.
A key element of electric vehicle infrastructure is the provision of charging stations. Many experts believe that it is urgent to adopt clear technical standards for this equipment, in order to guide business investment.
According to Nguyên Van Khôi of Vietnam's Standards, Metrology and Quality Commission (STAMEQ), the draft national technical regulation on charging stations has been finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is based on the international standard IEC 61851-1:2017, widely used around the world, while taking into account Vietnam's socio-economic context.
In particular, the charging stations will have to meet strict requirements in terms of electrical safety, automatic shutdown in the event of overload or short-circuit, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and standardization of connectors between the vehicle and the station. The integrated metering system will also have to be certified as an electricity meter, guaranteeing transparent transactions and consumer protection.
The experts also call for the development of specific standards for electric car batteries, based on international standards.
Finally, it is crucial to build a legal framework for the recycling of used batteries and their life-cycle management.
According to Associate Professor Nguyên Thê Luong, from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, mastering battery technology, from material structure to recycling, is essential for the country's technological autonomy.
Some national research units and universities have published the process of recovering and reusing battery materials, but efficiency still falls short of requirements for use as raw materials in the production of new batteries.
Many scientists are therefore calling for supportive policies to strengthen this research, improve recovery processes, and set up a waste management system that includes the responsibility of producers, importers and consumers.
Source: lecourrier.vn/
