‘Automotive Giant’ with 7 Car Plants in Quang Nam Province Builds Charging Stations Across Vietnam, Offering Free Charging for Foreign Brand Vehicles

Electric vehicles are being promoted by governments worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their convenience and cost-effectiveness have also been recognized by many users, making the switch to electric vehicles increasingly popular.

In this context, a Vietnamese company has expanded its network of charging stations across various provinces and cities in the country to meet consumer demands.

Specifically, THACO Group has announced the construction of additional charging stations in major provinces and cities across Vietnam. This project is undertaken by THACO AUTO, a subsidiary of THACO specializing in automobile assembly, distribution, and repair, in collaboration with BMW.

According to the announcement, THACO AUTO and BMW will build 60 kW charging stations using direct current (DC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Can Tho, Nha Trang, and Vinh. With this power output, the charging time required to continue the journey will range from 30 minutes to one hour.

In addition to these stations, THACO AUTO also has several 120 kW charging stations located at BMW showrooms in Hanoi, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City. A total of nine charging stations are expected to be operational by 2025.

THACO states that with the 120 kW stations, it takes approximately 30 minutes to charge the battery to 80% and 45 minutes to fully charge. At the time of the announcement, THACO also mentioned that BMW electric models, including the iX3, i4, and i7, are eligible for free charging at these stations.

Apart from the stations built by THACO, BMW users can also charge their vehicles at 17 Charge+ stations nationwide. While THACO did not disclose the charging costs at Charge+, they mentioned that they are offering a free charging policy at Charge+ stations with a total capacity of 2,000 kWh. The company’s policy also includes various other benefits.

It is currently unclear whether vehicles from brands other than BMW can use these charging stations.

THACO is a diversified group with a strong presence in the automotive industry. THACO, in general, and THACO AUTO, in particular, assemble and distribute vehicles for several prominent brands, including Mazda, Peugeot, and KIA.

THACO has invested in constructing the Chu Lai Mechanical and Automobile Complex (in Quang Nam province) spanning hundreds of hectares, housing seven vehicle assembly plants. This complex assembles a range of vehicles, from motorcycles and cars to buses, trucks, and specialized vehicles.

THACO has also exported various products, from specialized vehicles to large vehicle assemblies like frames and bodies, to foreign markets. Most recently, the company announced the export of a batch of premium Mercedes-Benz buses, developed and manufactured by THACO, to Thailand.

Vietnam’s automotive industry is currently one of the fastest-growing sectors. Alongside THACO, other reputable Vietnamese brands, such as Kim Long Motor, have also made significant strides with their recent exports, showcasing the industry’s remarkable progress.

Kim Long Motor recently delivered the first batch of over a hundred electric buses to their partner in South Korea. The KIMLONG N23-EV, a pure electric bus model developed in collaboration with a foreign partner, is expected to be used for tourism and student transportation in South Korea.

VinFast, another notable Vietnamese automaker, has not only exported tens of thousands of complete vehicles abroad but also recently announced the official operation of its second car manufacturing plant in Ha Tinh province, with an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles. Additionally, there are unofficial indications that the VinFast India plant is also nearing commencement.