According to statistics, the province currently has nearly 600 electric cars, 4,115 electric motorcycles, and 40 electric motorbikes. These figures indicate that electric vehicles are no longer a niche choice for a small group of residents but are gradually becoming a new trend.

Particularly notable is the passenger transport sector. At present, three of the province’s eight taxi operators have introduced electric vehicles into service, accounting for 192 of the 366 taxis currently in operation. One company has completed a full transition of its fleet to electric taxis. Such bold investments in new vehicles not only improve service quality but also help reduce noise pollution and emissions while creating a more modern and civilized image for the transportation industry.

In practice, electric taxis have been well received by customers. They operate quietly, produce no direct emissions, and have lower fuel and maintenance costs than vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Since 2024, Phan Hải 89 Co., Ltd. has operated an electric taxi service. Today, its “Xanh Điện Biên” taxi fleet has grown to more than 100 electric vehicles. According to Trần Thanh Quân, Director of Phan Hải 89 Co., Ltd., the use of electric vehicles not only enhances service quality but also supports the company’s sustainable development goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment. In the coming years, the company plans to further expand its fleet and improve service quality to better meet the travel needs of residents and visitors.

The shift toward electric mobility is not limited to businesses. An increasing number of residents are choosing electric vehicles for their daily transportation needs. With relatively short travel distances, especially in urban areas and the centers of communes and wards, electric vehicles adequately meet mobility demands while helping users save on fuel expenses. The expansion of charging infrastructure, together with a growing variety of vehicle models at more affordable prices, has also made electric vehicles more accessible to consumers.

Trần Văn Minh, a resident of Điện Biên Phủ ward, shared: “I travel about 1,000 kilometers each month. If I used a gasoline-powered vehicle, fuel costs would be quite high, whereas an electric car only costs about half as much in energy expenses. The vehicle operates smoothly and produces no on-site emissions, so I am very satisfied. At first, I was concerned about charging stations, but charging points in the area are now quite convenient.”

The growing number of electric vehicles in Điện Biên is not a spontaneous development but part of the province’s broader green energy transition roadmap. On January 5, 2024, the provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No. 65/KH-UBND to implement Decision No. 876/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022, issued by the Prime Minister on the action program for green energy transition, carbon and methane emission reduction in the transport sector. The province aims to gradually replace fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric vehicles and other green-energy alternatives suited to local conditions.

In addition to establishing a transition roadmap, the province has intensified public awareness campaigns highlighting the benefits of green vehicles and encouraging residents and businesses to switch from fossil fuel-powered road vehicles to electric alternatives. Bus and taxi operators are also encouraged to invest in new green-energy vehicles to gradually replace older fleets.

The development of electric transportation is not only intended to reduce emissions but also to modernize and improve the sustainability of the transportation system. As the number of electric vehicles increases, carbon dioxide and other pollutants generated by transportation activities are reduced, improving air quality, lowering noise levels in residential areas, and conserving fossil fuel resources.

However, several challenges must be addressed to accelerate the transition. Charging infrastructure remains limited, particularly in remote and mountainous areas. The cost of electric cars is still relatively high compared to the income levels of most residents, and changing long-established preferences for conventional vehicles will take time. Therefore, alongside government incentive policies, expanding charging networks, diversifying product offerings, and reducing investment costs will be critical factors in advancing the transition.

As Việt Nam moves toward its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in Điện Biên reflects growing awareness among both residents and businesses about green transportation. From electric motorcycles used for everyday travel to professionally operated electric taxis, the trend toward green mobility is steadily spreading, contributing to the realization of sustainable transportation goals, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of a greener living environment for the locality.