The rapid growth in electric vehicle use is putting increasing pressure on infrastructure at older apartment buildings across Hanoi, many of which were never designed with dedicated charging areas or electrical systems capable of meeting today's demand.

Installing additional charging stations has become a complicated task, with building management boards facing obstacles ranging from limited space and fire safety requirements to investment costs and the need to secure residents' approval.

Installing more charging sockets is not enough

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The growing number of electric motorcycles and bicycles is increasing demand for charging facilities at apartment buildings. Photo: Hoang Hiep

Speaking recently at a discussion on green transport transition and charging infrastructure challenges in Hanoi's apartment buildings, Pham Xuan Diep, head of the management board at New Skyline apartment building in Van Quan urban area, Ha Dong ward, described how quickly demand has changed.

In early 2024, the building had around 30 electric motorcycles. That figure has since climbed to 102, more than tripling in less than two years.

The increase has created growing demand for parking and charging facilities, while the building's available communal space has remained virtually unchanged.

When New Skyline was originally designed, electric vehicles were not widely used, so charging requirements and the necessary supporting infrastructure were not fully considered.

The management board has since adjusted the location of charging facilities to reduce safety risks, but the temporary solution has created other difficulties.

"Previously, the electric vehicle charging area was located in the basement. We later moved it above ground to reduce safety risks. However, the new location has no roof, making charging inconvenient during rain or intense sunshine. The open space also makes it harder to control access and monitor electricity consumption," Diep said.

A construction infrastructure engineer, Diep believes the biggest challenge is not simply finding somewhere to install charging equipment.

The deeper problem lies in parking infrastructure, particularly the limited space available for vehicles.

With most parking areas already operating near capacity, setting aside additional space exclusively for electric vehicles would disrupt existing parking arrangements.

The building's electrical system must also be assessed to determine whether it can support multiple vehicles charging simultaneously.

Investment cannot be limited to installing sockets or charging devices. It must also account for electrical wiring, power supply capacity, protective equipment and procedures for responding to emergencies.

Beyond physical constraints, apartment management boards face uncertainty over the procedures required to establish new parking and charging areas.

According to Diep, any project must comply with housing regulations, fire prevention and firefighting requirements, and relevant technical guidance.

Before introducing new charging facilities, the management board must submit the proposal to an apartment owners' meeting for approval. Only then can it proceed with investment planning.

Securing the necessary funding presents another challenge.

Diep said management boards need clearer guidance on technical standards, implementation procedures and legal requirements, particularly as relevant regulations continue to be amended and updated.

Even professionals with expertise in mechanical and electrical systems can struggle to keep up with changing requirements. For management boards without specialized technical or legal personnel, choosing an appropriate solution is even more complicated.

"We want to proactively arrange charging facilities within the apartment complex, but we still have to wait for the apartment owners' meeting, expected in early 2027, to seek approval. Management boards need clear guidance so we can meet residents' needs while ensuring legal compliance," Diep said.

Drawing on New Skyline's experience, he called on relevant authorities to clarify technical requirements, implementation procedures and legal responsibilities.

Such guidance would give apartment management boards a clearer basis for action, rather than leaving individual buildings to develop their own solutions amid continuing uncertainty.

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Expanding battery-swapping cabinet networks could offer an effective solution for electric vehicle users living in apartment buildings. Photo: Hoang Hiep

Luong Mau Hung, vice chairman of the Cau Giay Ward People's Committee, said local residents have responded enthusiastically to the transition toward greener transport, with electric vehicle ownership rising noticeably.

However, he acknowledged that charging infrastructure at apartment buildings has failed to keep pace with demand.

"Our ward currently has 58 apartment buildings, but only one has a charging station installed in accordance with the required standards. Outside residential buildings, there are five charging stations with 14 charging units, a very modest number compared with demand in such a densely populated area," Hung said.

One major reason is that many apartment buildings were constructed before 2022, when electric vehicles were far less common.

As a result, their basement layouts, electrical supply systems and fire safety arrangements were not designed to accommodate today's charging requirements.

Building management boards also remain uncertain about technical conditions and their responsibilities when operating charging facilities.

To address these challenges, Hung proposed a three-step approach for apartment buildings.

First, management boards should count the electric vehicles currently used by residents, forecast future demand and identify residents' preferred charging methods.

Second, they should review available space to determine where dedicated charging areas could be established while maintaining safe distances and convenient emergency evacuation routes.

Third, they should assess transformer capacity and electrical wiring to determine whether existing systems can meet demand or require upgrades.

With this information, management boards would be better equipped to consult residents and select suitable solutions rather than investing before understanding their buildings' technical limitations.

Hung said ward authorities would coordinate with police and electricity providers to conduct surveys, provide guidance and connect apartment buildings with companies experienced in investing in and operating charging stations.

For buildings that cannot yet accommodate charging facilities, local authorities could identify nearby centralized charging locations and recommend additional public infrastructure.

According to figures provided by the Hanoi Department of Construction, the city currently has 2,313 charging station locations, with 10,209 charging ports and approximately 1,650 battery-swapping cabinets.

However, citywide figures do not fully reflect how easily residents can access charging infrastructure near their homes, particularly those living in apartment buildings.

Prime Ministerial Official Dispatch No. 27/CD-TTg, issued on March 31, 2026, called for accelerated development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at apartment buildings.

It also emphasized the need to improve regulations and technical standards while strengthening management to ensure safety and prevent fires and explosions.

On June 15, 2026, the Ministry of Construction issued Circular No. 31/2026/TT-BXD, amending the national technical regulations governing apartment buildings.

The circular, which takes effect on December 15, 2026, introduces requirements concerning electric vehicle parking, charging and battery swapping at existing apartment buildings.

Under these provisions, individual buildings must be reviewed and assessed to identify facilities that do not meet the required standards, followed by necessary repairs or upgrades in accordance with regulations.

Implementation must reflect the specific characteristics of each building rather than applying a single solution across all apartment complexes.

Against this backdrop, experts believe electric scooters equipped with swappable batteries could provide an effective alternative while apartment buildings work through the challenges of installing conventional charging facilities.

Battery-swapping models are already attracting users because batteries can be exchanged quickly and conveniently, eliminating the need to wait for a vehicle to recharge.

Plans for a network of up to 150,000 battery-swapping cabinets by the end of 2026 could make replacing a depleted battery nearly as convenient as refueling a conventional motorcycle.

For residents of apartment buildings where charging infrastructure remains difficult to install, battery swapping offers another practical route toward adopting greener transport without relying entirely on charging facilities at home.

Hoang Hiep