My family, originally from Nghe An, resides in Ha Noi. Having saved up, I am now in the market for a car. Like many, I am considering an electric vehicle (EV) amidst the electrification trend, anticipating a potential future ban on gasoline cars. Previously, without an immediate need for a car, I paid little attention to this. However, as I prepare to purchase one, my primary concern is the feasibility of long-distance travel. Therefore, during the recent holiday, I paid close attention to vehicle traffic on the highway from Ha Noi to Nghe An.

During my family trip, I stayed awake throughout the journey, chatting with my brother who was driving. I noticed a significant absence of electric cars with white license plates, indicating private family vehicles, on the highway. Occasionally, I would spot a few electric cars with yellow license plates, typically used for ride-hailing or other services. For instance, on the afternoon of 3/5, driving from Nghe An back to Ha Noi, I could count the number of white-plated electric cars I encountered on two hands. The image below, for example, shows primarily gasoline cars.

Duong cao toc doan qua Ninh Binh, huong ve Ha Noi, chieu 3/5. Anh: Tran Anh

Conversely, upon reaching Ring Road 3 to enter Ha Noi, the number of white-plated electric cars became considerably higher.

I would like to ask current electric car users: Are electric vehicles primarily suited for urban environments? Are they better suited as a secondary vehicle for households that already own a gasoline car for long trips, or are they mainly ideal for commercial services?

Given my distant hometown, this is a major consideration for me. I worry about the time it would take to locate charging stations and wait for my turn during peak travel days, especially when returning to my hometown.

I eagerly await shared experiences from electric car owners. Thank you.

Reader Tran Anh