Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh has urged the creation of dedicated EV parking and charging areas - separate from residential buildings - within complex grounds or adjacent sites, to offer safer alternatives for residents rather than relying solely on basement garages.

According to Construction Newspaper, on the afternoon of December 11, the Ministry of Construction hosted a consultation conference to revise QCVN 04:2021/BXD - the national technical regulation for residential apartment buildings - adding provisions related to electric vehicle charging and battery swapping stations.

The event came amid a rapid rise in EV adoption in Vietnam, with over 2 million electric motorbikes and roughly 300,000 electric cars currently in use. This surge has significantly increased demand for charging facilities in high-rise buildings, sparking growing concerns over fire hazards, electrical overload, and safety risks.

EV restrictions spark debate

Recently, several high-rise complexes in Hanoi have refused to allow EVs or prohibit charging in underground parking levels.

One notable case is the HH Linh Dam residential complex, where the Linh Dam Housing Services Branch (Hoang Liet Ward) announced it would stop accepting new electric bicycles and motorbikes from December 1, 2025. Furthermore, it planned to ban all electric vehicle parking in the basement by February 1, 2026, citing fire safety concerns. This move was later halted following an intervention by Hoang Liet Ward authorities.

Need for updated safety codes

The drafting committee noted that QCVN 04:2021/BXD has improved building safety since its issuance. However, the speed of urbanization and electric vehicle proliferation now demands additional updates to align with the green transportation trend and ensure safety.

Participants - including regulators, research institutes, and businesses - agreed that EV infrastructure in residential buildings must adhere to strict technical standards. These should cover fire prevention, ventilation and smoke extraction, compartmentalization, as well as system load management and electrical safety.

Detailed guidelines for the use and maintenance of chargers and batteries are also essential to prevent incidents and ensure the safety of both residents and property.

No rigid rules without thorough evaluation

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh instructed the Housing and Real Estate Market Management Department, in collaboration with the Institute of Construction Science and Technology and the Hanoi Department of Construction, to conduct in-depth assessments based on different building types.

He emphasized that housing types - such as row houses, apartment blocks, or complexes built before 2010 or 2020 - have varying characteristics and require tailored approaches.

Clarifying technical zones for EVs

Regarding technical content, the Deputy Minister asked for clearer categorization of three EV-related zones: parking areas, charging stations, and battery-swapping stations.

The new regulations must differentiate between electric motorbikes and electric cars and integrate existing fire safety laws.

The drafting team was also urged to gather input from building management boards, local authorities, developers, and operations teams to reflect real-world needs and challenges.

The revised code should avoid setting rigid numerical thresholds without comprehensive data analysis, to maintain flexibility amid fast-changing realities.

Existing buildings and EV zones

For existing buildings, management boards should be allowed to determine the size and ratio of EV parking based on actual use. Any modifications must comply with current construction laws.

Furthermore, the ministry is considering mandating that EV areas, charging stations, and battery-swap facilities be located outside of buildings - either within the residential complex or nearby - to reduce pressure on basement garages and enhance safety.

The team is also reviewing the possibility of adding requirements for used battery collection points at EV stations, despite this not yet being covered by current codes.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh instructed the drafting team to complete the revised code promptly, aiming for finalization in Q1/2026.

Field survey and stakeholder concerns

On December 10, the Ministry of Construction, in collaboration with the Hanoi Department of Construction and other agencies, conducted site visits to three apartment complexes: Times City, CT1 Thach Ban, and HH Linh Dam.

Meetings with building managers, operators, investors, and residents revealed several challenges. These included insufficient parking, building designs not supporting rising EV demand, lack of unified guidance, and unclear responsibility for adapting EV parking in handovered buildings.

Fire safety and legal liabilities were also major concerns, prompting some buildings to temporarily halt EV parking and charging.

Hong Khanh