Electric bike registration at the Hà Nội Traffic Police Station. The Association of Electric Bikes and Motorbikes has proposed to the transport ministry that they extend the mandatory registration for electric bikes to the end of this year. — VNA/VNS  Photo Minh Sơn

HÀ NỘI — The Association of Electric Bikes and Motorbikes has proposed to the transport ministry that they extend the mandatory registration for electric bikes to the end of this year.

Under the association’s proposal, owners of electric bikes will have to register their vehicles before December 20 instead of July 1 as required by the current regulation.

A representative from the association told Vietnamplus online newspaper that the deadline for registering electric bikes before July 1 would imperceptibly create opportunities for businesses to store electric bikes, increase the products’ prices and cause disorder in the market.

He further explained that it was usually before July that students often flocked to buy electric bikes as a means to go to school for the upcoming academic years starting in September. This could lead to speculation of businesses to make a profit, he said.

Also, this could help create conditions for students to have enough vehicles to go to school, he said.

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, who is currently the prime minister, requested the Ministry of Public Security to tighten management over electric bikes.

Focus will be on checking and punishing electric bike drivers for violating traffic regulations, particularly those riding without registration.

Last June, the Ministry of Public Security issued a Circular which regulates the compulsory registration and issuance of number plates for electric bikes and electric motorcycles. The registration must be done before July 1.

After the deadline, drivers of unregistered vehicles caught in traffic will receive stiff fines, from VNĐ300,000 to 400,000 (US$13.4 to $18).

In addition, when electric motor vehicle owners violate traffic laws, they will be subject to other forms of punishment such as confiscation of registration papers and number plates that are not properly specified, suspension of driving licences, and even confiscation of vehicles.

There are some two million electric bikes and electric motorcycles in Việt Nam, of which thousands are in Hà Nội. – VNS