Potential risks from homemade "supercars"

((Baonghean.vn) – Currently, a type of inexpensive electric car from China, as well as homemade vehicles made by local people, is trending on social media. Alongside the expressions of admiration, perhaps it's time to question the safety of these vehicles.

First, let's talk about the cheap electric cars priced between 35 and 70 million VND, originating from China, which once "took the internet by storm," attracting considerable attention from women due to their compact size and eye-catching colors.

According to Mr. Phan Sinh, Deputy Director of the Customs Information Technology and Statistics Department, it is highly likely that this type of electric vehicle has not yet been cleared through customs, or will have difficulty being cleared through customs into Vietnam. Firstly, the technical standards for electric vehicles have not yet been issued by the Ministry of Transport. Secondly, the list of import taxes on automobiles does not yet include a section for electric vehicles.

Inexpensive electric vehicles from China, with their extremely attractive designs, have captured the attention of many consumers, especially women. (Image: Internet)

Mr. Nguyen To An, Head of the Motor Vehicle Quality Department of the Vietnam Registering Agency, also stated that, to date, the registration agency has not issued a certificate for any electric car imported from China. Only one company importing an electric car manufactured in the US has registered and received a safety and quality inspection certificate, but these vehicles are only used in tourist areas and resorts…

This means that if the aforementioned types of vehicles appear and are offered for sale in the Vietnamese market, their quality will be completely unregulated. No one can be sure whether these vehicles are safe or pose a danger to users, like many other electronic products of Chinese origin.

Regarding the homemade cars that have been built by people recently, these are usually self-made using recycled materials from old vehicles. Recently, many people have been fascinated by images of these homemade "supercars" in Hai Phong, Hanoi, and other cities, which have been widely shared on social media. These are three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles made from iron frames and motorcycle wheels; some even have added roofs, canopies, and headlights.

The homemade "supercar" of Mr. Cu Manh Tuan in Vinh City. - Photo: Vnexpress.

In Nghe An province, over the past few years, many homemade "supercars" created by local people have gone viral on the internet, such as those of Mr. Nguyen Kim Son (Bai Son commune, Do Luong district), Mr. Pham Dinh Cong (Da Son commune, Do Luong district), Mr. Nguyen Van Son (Truong Thi ward, Vinh City), Mr. Cu Manh Tuan (Vinh City), etc.

The homemade vehicle of Mr. Nguyen Kim Son in Bai Son commune (Do Luong district) - Photo: Zing.

If the goal is simply to build them for fun and to satisfy a passion for mechanics, then homemade vehicles can bring enjoyment to both the "players" and the viewers. However, things go too far when people start using these homemade vehicles on public roads.

Who can guarantee whether these homemade "supercars" meet the technical safety standards for road use? Who can guarantee that these "supercars" won't follow in the footsteps of the homemade motorcycles and agricultural vehicles that caused so much trouble in the past...?

An accident involving a homemade vehicle in Hanoi in 2015 - Photo: Hanoimoi.

It must be emphasized that the use of unregistered or uninspected electric vehicles, or homemade vehicles, by citizens in traffic is a violation of the law. According to Circular 86 of the Ministry of Transport, electric vehicles are not permitted to participate in traffic and are only allowed to be used in limited areas for tourism and entertainment.

According to point b, clause 4, Article 17 of Decree No. 171/2013/ND-CP, a fine of VND 800,000 to VND 1,000,000 shall be imposed on drivers of vehicles manufactured or assembled illegally who participate in traffic. The driver may also have their vehicle and driver's license confiscated for 2 months.

Chu Thanh

(synthetic)