The recent surge in gasoline prices has significantly increased transportation costs, prompting many consumers in Hanoi to consider switching from gasoline-powered motorbikes to electric alternatives.

Gasoline prices have climbed steadily in recent weeks, at times exceeding VND27,000 per liter (US$1.10), putting pressure on household transportation budgets.

As a result, the electric motorbike market has become noticeably more active, with dealers reporting a sharp increase in both customer visits and sales.

Electric motorbikes selling rapidly

At several electric motorbike stores in Hanoi, customer traffic has risen significantly in recent days, with some dealerships experiencing near-constant crowds.

A sales employee at a DatBike dealership on Nghi Tam Street in Tay Ho District said the number of visitors and buyers has surged in recent days, roughly three to four times higher than usual.

“Previously, we sold about four to five bikes per day, and on busy days perhaps seven or eight. But over the past two days, sales have jumped to around 20 bikes per day,” the employee said.

“For an electric motorbike store, that is a very impressive figure.”

According to the employee, most customers are looking for models priced between VND40 million and VND50 million (US$1,600-2,000).

Many buyers mention rising gasoline costs as the main reason for considering electric motorbikes. Some customers who previously visited the store just to explore options have now returned to place orders.

A VinFast electric motorbike dealership on Tran Hung Dao Street has recorded a similar surge in interest, with customer numbers rising sharply over the past few days.

Not only are stores crowded with visitors, but remote consultation channels such as hotlines have also become overloaded.

A sales representative said staff have had to prioritize in-store consultations due to the sudden influx of customers.

“Customers keep coming to look at the bikes. Sometimes we have to focus on assisting them directly, so we cannot answer all hotline calls immediately,” the representative explained.

Many visitors are particularly interested in models priced below VND30 million (approximately US$1,200), such as the Evo or Feliz lines, because their operating costs are extremely low - often only a few thousand dong worth of electricity for dozens of kilometers of travel.

At a Honda dealership on Vo Chi Cong Street in Hanoi, which sells the electric ICON e: model, staff also reported increased customer interest.

Previously, inquiries about Honda’s electric motorbikes were limited, as most customers still preferred familiar gasoline-powered scooters.

However, with fuel prices rising steadily, more people are beginning to explore electric options.

Consumers reconsider transportation costs

Nguyen Minh Tuan, a resident of Hoang Mai District in Hanoi, said he is considering replacing his gasoline motorbike after more than six years of use.

“In the past, filling up with VND70,000-VND80,000 (US$2.80-3.20) could last several days. Now every refill is nearly VND100,000 (about US$4) but it doesn’t go very far,” he said.

“If I switch to an electric motorbike, I think the running cost would be much lower.”

Similarly, Pham Thu Hang, an office worker in Thanh Xuan District, said she had never considered buying an electric motorbike before.

“But recently gasoline prices have gone up, and I’ve also heard that Hanoi may restrict gasoline-powered motorbikes in the future, so I started researching electric models,” she said.

Hoang Anh, who lives in Dong Anh and works at a Samsung factory in Bac Ninh, said he usually commutes by company shuttle bus because the distance from home to work is quite far.

However, recent rumors about possible fuel shortages have made him concerned about transportation options.

“If the company shuttle stops running or I need to travel independently, I wouldn’t know how to manage,” he said.

As a result, he and his wife are considering purchasing an electric motorbike as a backup means of transport and a way to save fuel costs if gasoline prices continue rising.

In reality, the shift toward electric vehicles is driven not only by fuel costs.

Market studies show that Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing electric two-wheeler markets in the world, with hundreds of thousands of units sold each year.

VinFast alone sold more than 406,000 electric motorbikes in 2025, highlighting rapidly growing demand.

Industry forecasts suggest that Vietnam’s electric two-wheeler market could reach about US$7 billion in revenue by 2030, expanding at an average annual growth rate of around 18%.

Environmental policies and potential restrictions on gasoline-powered vehicles in major cities are also expected to accelerate this transition.

Y Nhuy