Chinese mini electric car priced at 60 million is offered for sale in Hai Duong, should you buy it?

An electric car shop on DH 01 Street through Vinh Hoa Commune (Ninh Giang) displays a cheap electric car. The blue car has a square shape, about 2.5m long, 1.5m wide, 1.5m high. The car has 4 doors, the interior is also simple. The seats are designed flat, the buttons are sketchy. The car does not have an air conditioning system but has 2 fans.

According to the seller, the car is being offered for sale at 60 million VND, with many colors for customers to choose from. The car is charged with 220 V voltage, charging time is about 8 hours. The distance the car can travel is about 60 km. The seller advertises that customers can buy these mini electric cars as a means of protection from the sun and rain, daily commuting instead of motorbikes, while the price is only equivalent to a scooter.

On March 21, I saw a blue and white mini electric car with an unknown brand parked on Nguyen Van Linh Street (Hai Duong City). I followed the phone number on the back of the car and contacted the seller of this electric car. When I asked for the store's address to come see it in person and test drive it, the seller refused and said: "We only sell to customers who have pre-ordered. Customers can view the pictures via Zalo, get a quote for any model they like, place an order, and the store will deliver the car to the customer."

When I went to the seller's personal Zalo page as instructed, there were many pictures of Chinese mini electric cars. I chose a few pictures of mini electric cars and sent them back to her, and was quoted 60 million VND. When I asked about the registration and inspection of this vehicle, the owner did not answer.

According to Hai Duong Newspaper reporters, in addition to cheap electric vehicles sold directly at stores, this type of vehicle is also offered for sale online and on e-commerce platforms. On the Shopee e-commerce site, some electric vehicle models are offered for sale at prices ranging from 69 to 92 million VND. In addition to information about the engine, travel distance, charging voltage, etc., some stores recommend that the vehicle cannot be registered and inspected, and should only be used on internal roads or in resorts; while some stores do not provide information about the registration and inspection of this vehicle.

About 10 years ago, cheap mini electric cars were offered for sale but people were not very interested. In the past year, the trend of electric cars has been chosen by many people. Therefore, cheap electric cars from China are also interested.

Mr. BTN in Tan Huong commune, Ninh Giang district, who regularly researches car models, said that in Vietnam, electric car models are offered for sale at prices ranging from 60-90 million VND, but in the Chinese market, this type of car only costs from 30-45 million VND.

Speaking to Hai Duong Newspaper reporters, a representative of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Center 34-01D said that according to regulations, 4-wheeled motor vehicles participating in traffic must ensure regulations on quality, technical safety, and environmental protection. Mini electric cars, despite their small size, are still 4-wheeled motor vehicles, and if they are on the road, they must comply with the above regulations. Circulating unregistered and uninspected mini electric cars is against regulations. To check whether a mini electric car meets technical standards or not, the vehicle owner must bring the vehicle to the inspection unit to conduct the inspection steps according to regulations.

Cheap Chinese mini electric cars are being sold on the market without certificates of quality, technical safety and environmental safety, so they are not eligible to be on the road.