With fluctuating fuel prices, many people are showing interest in electric vehicles.
Amidst fluctuating fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, many consumers in Nghe An province are beginning to consider switching to electric vehicles. This is not only because of lower operating costs, but also because electric vehicles are considered environmentally friendly and increasingly convenient thanks to the expanding charging station network.
The demand for information about electric vehicles is increasing.
According to observations at several electric vehicle dealerships in the province, the number of customers visiting, test-driving, and inquiring about electric vehicles has increased sharply recently compared to previous months.
According to Mr. Cao Dang Hung, Sales Service Director of a dealership in Vinh Phu ward, previously the store only sold about 2-3 cars a day, but now that number has increased significantly, sometimes reaching about 15 cars per day. The high price of gasoline and diesel is one of the factors causing many customers to change their car buying plans. Many people who initially intended to choose gasoline-powered cars have decided to switch to electric vehicles after calculating long-term fuel costs.
At an electric car dealership in Dien Chau commune, a salesperson said that the number of customers inquiring about the products has increased rapidly in recent days. While previously the store only sold an average of 1-2 electric cars per day, now on some days the number of cars sold can reach 5-7.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Van from Yen Thanh commune shared that she had previously planned to buy a gasoline-powered car for work and family transportation. However, after researching fuel costs in the context of constantly fluctuating gasoline prices, she decided to put down a deposit for an electric car instead.
Meanwhile, Mr. Le Van Tuong, who has been using an electric car for over a year in Thanh Vinh ward, said: "Previously, when using a gasoline-powered car, I had to spend an average of 3-4 million VND per month on fuel. After switching to an electric car, this cost is almost eliminated because I am now receiving free charging support."
Previously, many people were concerned about the difficulty of finding charging points when traveling long distances. However, in recent years, the charging infrastructure in Nghe An has been significantly developed.
Charging stations have now appeared in areas such as shopping malls, public parking lots, residential areas, rest stops, and along major transportation routes.
Besides public charging stations, many car owners also choose to install home chargers for greater control over their vehicle usage. With this solution, users can charge their cars at night and use them the next day without having to go to an external charging station.
Transportation experts believe that electric vehicles are becoming an inevitable trend in the future due to their many outstanding advantages. First, the operating costs of electric vehicles are generally lower than those of gasoline-powered vehicles because electricity prices are more stable. Furthermore, electric vehicles do not emit polluting gases during operation. This contributes to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Many electric vehicles today are also equipped with modern technologies such as intelligent driving assistance systems, integrated infotainment screens, smartphone connectivity, and remote software updates.
Currently, domestically produced electric vehicles are receiving significant consumer attention in the market thanks to their widespread charging station network and convenient after-sales service. In addition, many preferential policies are being applied, such as exemption from registration fees for a certain period, long-term battery warranties, and programs to support the conversion from gasoline to electric vehicles.
Besides domestic models, the market also features several imported electric vehicles from foreign manufacturers, including brands from China. However, due to the lack of a comprehensive charging station network in Vietnam, consumer interest in these models remains limited.
More solutions are needed for the development of electric vehicles.
According to statistics, the province currently has over 100 charging stations with more than 500 charging ports installed in various areas. These charging stations are strategically located in urban areas, on national highways, expressways, and many provincial roads, increasing accessibility for electric vehicle users.
Within urban areas, the average distance between charging stations is approximately 3.5 km. On national highways and expressways, the average distance between charging points is about 65 km, suitable for long-distance travel needs.
Notably, charging stations have been installed in some mountainous communes in western Nghe An province, creating favorable conditions for local people to access environmentally friendly transportation.
The charging station system is currently installed with various power levels such as 11kW, 30kW, 60kW, 120W, 180kW, and 250kW, meeting the needs for fast or standard charging depending on the type of vehicle. Many charging stations are located in parking lots, gas stations, or rest stops to increase convenience for users.
However, despite their advantages, electric vehicles still have some limitations. One issue that many people consider is charging time. Compared to refueling with gasoline, which only takes a few minutes, fully charging an electric vehicle can take from a few tens of minutes to several hours, depending on the charging station's capacity and the vehicle's battery.
Furthermore, although charging station infrastructure is expanding, the number of charging stations remains limited in some remote areas. During peak periods such as holidays or when traffic volume increases, some charging stations may experience long waiting times.
The initial selling price of electric vehicles is also a factor that some consumers are still considering, even though the long-term cost of ownership is lower than that of gasoline-powered cars.
According to many experts and consumers, for electric vehicles to become more popular in the future, continued investment in expanding the charging station network is necessary, especially in rural areas and inter-provincial transportation routes.
Amidst the continued volatility of gasoline and diesel prices due to global factors, the trend towards electric vehicles is projected to continue increasing in the coming period. With advantages in operating costs, environmental friendliness, and increasingly improved infrastructure, electric vehicles are gradually becoming the new choice for many people in Nghe An province.
