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The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) is seeking feedback on two options for electricity pricing for electric vehicle (EV) charging, under a draft circular recently released for public comment.
Under the first option, retail electricity prices for EV charging would apply to charging stations serving electric vehicles, including e-buses. These stations would be required to install separate electricity meters. For households that have signed power purchase agreements for domestic use, the retail electricity price for domestic purpose will be applied to the entire metered consumption.
The second option sets out electricity pricing for EV charging for stations with or without separate meters.
Specifically, if a separate meter is in place, the retail electricity price for EV charging at stations, serving also e-buses, would be the same as that in the first option. For households entering into contracts on purchase of electricity for domestic use and also using electricity for vehicle charging, the total consumption would still be billed at the rate applicable to household electricity under current regulations. Where separate meters are installed and customers use electricity for non-residential purposes, the electricity retail price will be applied depending on each use purpose.
If no separate meter is installed for EV charging, the electricity prices will be determined according to the purposes stated in the power purchase agreements.
Explaining why it has proposed the two options above, the MOIT said that the Vietnam Electricity and several electricity corporations have argued that electric vehicle charging stations must be installed with dedicated meters, except charging poles of households that sign power purchase agreements for domestic use. They pointed out that high-capacity charging, especially during peak hours, might put significant strain on the power grid.
In contrast, Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation believes separate meters are not always necessary. For example, if a cafe installs a charging pole, electricity use should be billed at the rate applicable to business activities for the entire measured consumption, therefore, a separate meter is not required.
The draft is designed to provide guidance for implementing Decision 14/2025/QD-TTg on electricity retail tariffs issued by the Prime Minister in May. According to the decision, electric vehicle charging operations are added to the electricity retail pricing framework. Specifically, the prices are divided into off-peak, normal and peak hours, ranging from 71 percent to 195 percent of the current average retail price (VND 2,204.07/kWh). Off-peak hours run from 8pm to 4am of weekdays. Peak hours are Monday to Saturday, from 9:30am to 11:30am and 5pm to 8pm, and not counted for Sundays. All other periods are treated as normal hours.
By VLLF
