Hanoi apartments’ push to ban electric vehicles sparks division among residents

Her apartment has announced a ban on parking EVs in its basement from February 2026 on fire safety concerns.

Just months ago Oanh had sold her gasoline motorbike and bought an electric bike to reduce costs but also because of the impending ban on gasoline motorbikes in the inner city during peak hours from July 2026.

But her joy in "going green" has been short-lived. As a first step the building management recently stopped accepting new EV registrations for parking.

"Cars are parked in outside lots, and gas motorbikes can be left anywhere, but electric vehicles need charging stations and protection from the weather," a frustrated Oanh says. "I am in a dilemma: if I sell the bike, I’ll lose money; if I keep it, I won’t have anywhere to park."

She has looked for parking lots outside her apartments, but they have either refused to accept electric bikes or are located too far away.

A designated parking zone for electric motorbikes and e-bicycles is set up near the building’s entrance and monitored by security at the HH Linh Dam apartments in Hanoi's Hoang Liet Ward on the morning of Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ngoc Hung

Oanh’s predicament reflects a growing anxiety among EV owners in one of the capital's most densely populated residential complexes, who point out the ban gainsays the city's push for green transportation and emission reductions.

But people who own gasoline motorbikes, like 30-year-old Thu Thao, support the ban. She says the HH Linh Dam complex was built before 2014, meaning its design is not compatible with modern charging stations or heavy EV usage.

"The basement ... fire prevention infrastructure is basic. If just one electric vehicle catches fire in that enclosed space, the consequences would be disastrous."

The dispute has sparked fierce debate among resident community groups. Following a backlash, the Hoang Liet Ward People's Committee intervened on December 4, with officials ordering the building management not to refuse parking for electric vehicles.

Citing the 2023 Housing Law they said EVs are legally recognized vehicles and there is no scientific conclusion that they are more prone to explosions than gasoline vehicles. They have also directed the management to create designated charging areas equipped with firefighting equipment and monitoring systems.

However, the anti-EV sentiment is also spreading to other housing complexes across Hanoi. On Dec. 2 an apartment complex in Thach Ban Ward (Long Bien District) stopped accepting new electric vehicles, claiming their number, 60, had already exceeded the planned capacity of 25 and noting a lack of specialized fire equipment for lithium-ion batteries.

Similarly, people living in the Van Khe urban area (Ha Dong) have reported difficulties with parking EVs despite the availability of space. There is admittedly much apprehension about EV safety.

A VnExpress survey of 2,500 readers found 48% of EV users felt discriminated against, with 42% having difficulty charging their battery and 6% refused parking space entirely.

Another survey of 13,000 people found that if gasoline bikes are banned only 24% would consider switching to electric with the majority preferring public transport or ride-hailing services.

A customer "trades in a gasoline motorbike for an electric one" at a VinFast event in Ho Chi Minh City in July 2025. Photo by The Anh

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Dung, vice president of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, attributes the fear to a lack of infrastructure and concerns over the quality of unregulated batteries.

For older apartment buildings with limited basement space, he says the most feasible solution is planning separate outdoor charging areas with roofing and heat sensors. "In the long term regulators need to study battery-swapping models similar to those in advanced countries rather than direct charging to minimize risks in residential areas."

Representatives of the HH Linh Dam residential group said, following the ward's directive, the apartment is carrying out a survey for creating a dedicated outdoor EV parking area to address both safety concerns and safeguard the rights of EV owners.

It will have roofing and 24-hour security.