Ho Chi Minh City to install EV chargers at 19 bus stations

According to the proposal, the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transportation Management Center will directly manage the road-traffic infrastructure assets and coordinate with relevant units to install chargers and battery-swap cabinets for electric vehicles.

The leasing of operating rights at the 19 sites will be conducted via public auction.

Firms participating in the auction must meet several requirements, including at least two years of experience in managing or operating road-traffic infrastructure, legal establishment and business registration, and sufficient financial capacity demonstrated through audited financial statements showing minimum revenue and pre-tax profit over two consecutive years.

Investors responsible for installing car chargers and battery-swap cabinets for electric motorbikes must comply with fire safety regulations, road-traffic laws, and rules governing service pricing, charging-port software, and other conditions set by authorities.

Charging stations must prioritize electric buses between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am the following day.

All types of electric buses will be able to charge at these stations, which will use CCS2 charging ports and an open control software system.

Revenue estimated at $834,366

Under the financial framework, payments for the rights to operate the assets will be made annually.

The remaining revenue, after related expenses have been deducted, will be transferred to the state budget and earmarked for future public investment, including upgrades, expansions, and development of road-traffic infrastructure.

The proposal anticipates annual revenue growth of five percent throughout the seven-year lease term.

The initial projected revenue from leasing the space at the 19 sites is estimated at more than VND22 billion (US$834,366).

The locations slated for the charger installation include the Van Thanh, Saigon, Cho Lon, Dam Sen, and Tan Phu bus stations; Linh Trung 2 Export Processing Zone; Linh Dong, Hiep Thanh, Thoi An, Hoc Mon, Tan Quy, An Nhon Tay and Le Minh Xuan technical support yards; the bus terminal on Tran Dai Nghia; and bus stations in former District 8, near Kenh Lo Bridge, in Can Gio and Cu Chi, and near Binh Thai Metro Station.

The total area of these sites is nearly 110,000 square meters, with more than 25,000 square meters available for lease.

The department will lead the project in coordination with the center.

The city currently has only five charging stations with 56 chargers, serving more than 700 electric buses, insufficient for its planned expansion of green transportation.

The center manages 25 bus stations and parking areas covering more than 120,000 square meters, none of which currently have electric charging infrastructure.

Utilizing 19 of these existing sites for the charger installation is expected to ease infrastructure bottlenecks, generate stable budget revenue, and support the city’s policy of promoting private investment and efficient use of public assets.