At present, the Government is pushing for and setting objectives to speed up the conversion of fossil fuel-powered cars to electric ones. The demand for electric vehicles will therefore only grow over time, eventually leading to the production of all-electric vehicles. Given the rising demand for electric vehicles, providing the required electric power for charging can be seen as essential to ensure effective mobility for citizens.
Furthermore, the infrastructure for electric car charging stations improving will present excellent opportunities for international electric vehicle producers to make audacious investments in the Vietnamese market, further encouraging variety and demand for use of electric cars whilst advancing the common goal of the Government. Even though the market for electric vehicles is growing, the nation’s system of charging stations -aside from those that cater exclusively to VinFast vehicles - remains rather "thin".
In keeping with its obligations as an industry player in the power sector, PV Power is determined that building and investing in electric car charging stations will enable it to seize upon new business opportunities and will be consistent with its development strategy moving forward. Simultaneously, the construction of trial charging stations marks the first step towards later goals of increasing the number, location, and capacity of stations nationwide.
Therefore, PV Power has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with EN Technologies Inc. as part of efforts to research and develop a charging station system in the country. PV Power will be in charge of locating the station and supplying the necessary technical infrastructure, including the input power supply. In addition, it will supply all other equipment, such as electrical distribution cabinets, telecommunications cabinets, fire protection equipment, and surveillance camera systems. It will also manage related construction; installation and site improvements work; and covering associated costs like insurance, inspection, procedures, and permits. Following thorough the investigation and assessment process, the corporation made the decision to move forward with building a pilot fast-charging station at 6 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng street in Hanoi.
Photo: At a charging station
The DC rapid charging station can handle 100 to 120kW of power in total and occupies roughly 30 to 35 sq.m. It consists of two vertical charging cabinets, each with two charging connections that can each handle 50 to 60 kW of power. It also features a display screen and uses QR codes to process payments. The building of the charging station guarantees adherence to the most recent laws, guidelines, and standards pertaining to quality control, construction supervision, labour safety, environmental safety and hygienic practices, and fire prevention. The project will require an expenditure of approximately VND1.8 billion in total.
The expected charging output is used to compute charging income and the predicted charging price is split into three price levels based on off-peak, normal, and peak hours. The projected average cost of charging stands at roughly 3,858 VND per kWh, which is less expensive than several other units like EverCharge and EV One and comparable to the VinFast charging station.
Following the testing phase, PV Power will examine and appraise the entire charging station apparatus in terms of technology, operation, safety, customer usage analysis, and charging station efficiency. Based on these findings, specific and pertinent modifications will duly be made to the project in order to achieve maximum efficiency.
The construction of pilot charging stations has also laid a foundation for PV Power to develop an investment plan aimed at installing and expanding the charging station system. By investing in a number of pilot charging stations with a range of capacity levels, several equipment and operational adjustment solution suppliers will be able to give experiences to optimise investment and running expenses together with a roadmap to bring efficiency to the output problem. This will serve to improve investment efficiency and shorten the time it takes to recoup capital.
PV Power expects that by constructing trial charging stations now, the project can help to improve investment and construction efficiency and experience. From there, it is feasible to choose technologies, assess prices, and optimise solutions for use in the upcoming prototype charging station projects. These pilot projects will also serve as a basis for evaluating user demands and preferences, which in turn will help to highlight the project's achievements and make greater improvements and modifications that are more market-friendly and appropriate.
After testing and operating electric vehicle charging stations, PV Power will gain the most thorough understanding of both the electric vehicle market as a whole and electric vehicle charging stations in particular. This will enable it to make timely and effective decisions which fully align with the main goal of expanding the quantity, quality, location, and number of stations, while also becoming one of the most prestigious suppliers of electric vehicle charging stations in the country.
