HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City is planning to use some200 electric cars to transport tourists around downtown.

The city’s Department of Transport has submitted a pilotproject of using electric cars to the municipal People's Committee forconsideration and approval.

Under the project, each car can carry 5-14 passengers, with amaximum speed of 30km per hour for tours around the city.

The service will operate from six hours to 24 hours per day, andis carried out by the Saigon Public Transport Co., Ltd.

The cars will park at a parking lot owned by the Sai GonTransportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO) at No 121 on Co Giang streetin district 1.

Pick-up and drop-off locations will be agreed upon with touristaccommodation establishments and tourist attractions. The area forvehicles serving tourism will be at 23/9 Park in district 1.

Tourists can book the electric car service via a mobile app ordirectly with staff.

Initially, 70 cars with a capacity of eight to 10 seats will beput into operation. In the following stages, 60 more cars with seven seats orless and 70 cars with a capacity of 11-14 seats will be added to the fleet,which will operate 24 hours a day.

The scheme will start from district 1 to district 4, crossing Nha RongWharf, Khanh Hoi Bridge, and Ton Duc Thang, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Nguyen Thi MinhKhai, Hoang Sa, Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Van Cu and Vo Van Kiet streets, CalmetteBridge, Doan Van Bo, Hoang Dieu and Nguyen Tat Thanh streets, and Nha RongPort.

In the second phase, the service will be expanded todistricts 5 and 6, crossing Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Tri Phuong,Hung Vuong, Hong Bang, Nguyen Thi Nho, Le Quang Sung, Pham Dinh Ho, Thap Muoiand Hai Thuong Lan Ong streets.

In the third phase, it will cover Thu Duc city and districts 3and 10./.