Ho Chi Minh City Introduces Innovative Street-Side EV Charging Solutions
In a bid to accommodate the growing demand for electric vehicle charging and accelerate the transition to greener transportation, Ho Chi Minh City is piloting an innovative approach by installing charging stations on the sidewalks of prominent downtown streets.
Selected roads such as Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street (near the Independence Palace), Le Lai Street (close to Le Thi Rieng Park), Le Van Tam Park, and the area around the City Opera House will be equipped with these new charging stations. Of these, the first three locations are slated to become operational by June 2025, while the station near the Opera House is expected to follow suit in July 2025.
V-Green, a company specializing in charging infrastructure for VinFast vehicles, is behind the installation of these super-fast charging stations. The stations are designed as upright cabinets, utilizing 120 kW DC charging technology, 3-phase power (400V AC), and offering output voltages ranging from 200 to 1,000V DC. Each station is equipped with two charging guns, and charging times vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the vehicle model.
Users will be required to pay parking fees at these locations as they are situated in areas with contact-free payment options, including the MyParking app or VETC’s RFID system. The parking rates range from 20,000 to 25,000 VND per hour, excluding electricity charges.
This combination of parking and charging solutions optimizes urban space while providing convenience to EV owners, especially as the city encourages the shift from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric alternatives.
Unlike previous charging stations that were often confined to dedicated parking lots, shopping malls, gas stations, or hotels, street-side charging is a relatively novel concept in Vietnam. Hong Ha Eco City Apartment Complex in Hanoi is one of the few locations that has experimented with this model, but their charging capacity was limited to 11-30 kW, considered standard charging.
In contrast, the 120 kW charging system introduced in Ho Chi Minh City marks a significant upgrade, paving the way for the large-scale deployment of urban charging infrastructure. This is a crucial step in encouraging wider adoption of electric vehicles among the population.
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are committed to expediting the transition to green transportation, starting with electric motorcycles and ride-hailing services. Strategically placing charging stations on sidewalks addresses space constraints and expedites the process of establishing a comprehensive charging network.
Sidewalk charging, also known as curbside charging, is a popular concept in many global metropolitan areas, including New York, Toronto, and Shanghai. This model is praised for its efficient utilization of existing infrastructure, reducing initial investment costs, and shortening the time required for implementation.
Furthermore, by integrating parking and charging, the curbside charging model minimizes disruptions to traffic flow, making it particularly well-suited for densely populated urban areas. City administrations can easily expand the network of charging stations as demand increases, accelerating the timeline for electrifying the transportation sector.
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