More young people in Ho Chi Minh City turn to electric motorbikes

Global oil prices have been volatile due to escalating conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran in the Middle East since February 28 and concerns over supply disruptions through key shipping routes.

On a scorching day in Ho Chi Minh City, while long queues formed at petrol stations, 29-year-old ride-hailing driver Nguyen Thanh Long sat comfortably under the shade near Ba Son Bridge, scrolling through his phone and waiting for passengers.

He has not paid attention to fuel prices for over a year.

“I don’t even look at it anymore,” he answered when asked about gasoline costs.

Long is now an electric motorbike driver for a ride-hailing platform.

Amid unstable global fuel prices, his electric motorcycle continues to run smoothly, with the same electricity cost and charging time, and no additional expenses compared to before.

Previously, his working day revolved around fuel stops.

“I used to refuel two or three times a day,” he recalled.

“Whatever I earned, most of it went straight into petrol.”

Like many workers, his income fluctuated with fuel prices.

Some days, after a full shift, he would find that his earnings barely covered the cost of the next day’s fuel.

That calculation changed dramatically more than a year ago when he decided to switch to an electric motorbike.

At first, the transition was cautious.

He never let the battery drop below 40 percent, worried about running out mid-trip.

“I was afraid the battery would die while carrying passengers,” he said.

“People also said electric bikes are weak, especially on slopes, but after a while, I realized it was not true,” he shared.

He charges his motorcycle overnight and rides it all day.

A full charge costs only around VND10,000-15,000 (US$0.4-0.6) in electricity, enough for nearly 100 kilometres.

“Electricity is much cheaper than fuel,” he said.

Recently, he has benefited from battery-swapping services introduced by his company.

Instead of waiting hours to recharge, he can simply exchange a depleted battery for a full one.

“It costs about VND10,000 per swap. We just replace it and keep going – no waiting at all,” he added.

Nguyen Thi Truc Ly, a 25-year-old factory worker in Tan Tao Industrial Park, recently replaced her aging petrol motorbike with an electric one after years of use.

“At first my husband planned to buy another petrol bike,” Ly shared.

“Fuel prices were unstable, so we decided to switch to an electric one."

After just one week of use, she realized they had made the right choice, citing significant savings on fuel expenses.

For 27-year-old office worker Nguyen Trung Hieu from Di An Ward, the idea of switching to electric vehicles had been on his mind for some time.

“I saw people using them, but fuel prices weren’t too high back then, so I kept delaying,” he said.

That changed when fuel prices spiked.

His daily commute of over 20 kilometers became noticeably more expensive, with a full tank rising from around VND70,000 ($2.6) to nearly VND90,000 ($3.4).

After researching online and observing several electric motorbikes in apartment parking lots, Hieu decided to make the switch.

He eventually purchased a locally-made electric model priced at around VND38 million ($1,440).

With a range of over 200 kilometers per charge, the scooter meets his daily needs.

“The best part is I don’t have to go to petrol stations anymore,” he said.

“No queues, no fuel price worries – just charge at night and go in the morning,” he added.

Electric vehicles gain acceptance among families

When Hieu brought his new motorbike home, his wife was the first to test it.

She was surprised by how quiet it was.

“It’s so smooth. No engine noise at all,” she said.

Their household previously owned two petrol scooters, and the noise in enclosed parking areas was often a nuisance, especially early in the morning or late at night.

This shift in perception is not limited to couples.

Many parents are also increasingly choosing electric motorbikes for their children.

At dealerships, young customers make up the majority of buyers, including university students like Le Phuc Tien Bao from Van Lang University.

“I intended to buy a petrol bike, but since I mostly just travel between home and school, an electric one makes more sense,” Bao said.

His father also supported the decision, believing electric vehicles are safer due to their simpler design and lower speed.