HCMC – The HCMC Department of Transport has proposed a pilot project to use electric vehicles for city tours.

The Saigon Public Transport Company would operate 200 EVs, with each carrying 5 to 14 passengers around the downtown area, if approved.

At first, the plan is to operate 70 EVs that can accommodate 8-10 passengers. In the next phase, an additional 60 seven-seater EVs and 70 others with a capacity of 11-14 seats will be added to the fleet.

The EVs would operate 24 hours a day to provide passengers with reliable and convenient transportation services. Tourists can book the service via a mobile app or directly with staff.

The rental prices for EVs are from VND10,000 to VND50,000 per trip, VND100,000 per day, and VND70,000 to VND250,000 per trip if passengers want to rent an entire car.

The pilot project would start on April 30 with tours around District 1, particularly on the route of Nha Rong Wharf, Khanh Hoi Bridge and the streets of Ton Duc Thang, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoang Sa, Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Van Cu, Vo Van Kiet, Calmette Bridge and Van Don Port.

The second phase would start in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the tours expanded to District 5 via Tran Hung Dao Street.

In the third phase, the tours will be expanded to District 3, District 10 and Thu Duc City from the first quarter of 2024.

The HCMC People’s Committee previously allowed four firms to operate EV services, yet only two carried out the project with two tours around Phu My Hung Urban Area.