The ancient city of Hoi An will launch three routes of public battery-powered cars to serve tourists, starting in January, Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyen Van Son confirmed to Viet Nam News.

Son said it’s the first stage of a pilot project to boost environment-friendly public transport in the tourism hub of central Vietnam.

He said the city will use 50 six and eight-seat cars to shuttle between the Tan An public car park to the old town and favorite beaches of An Bang and Cua Dai.

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Son said the project will also help reduce car pollution in the UNESCO-recognized world heritage city.

He said the city would consider using solar power panels on the battery-powered cars in the second stage of the project.

Since 2002, Hoi An has earmarked several streets for pedestrian and non-engine vehicles to reduce noise and ensure people’s safety in the old quarter, where most foreign tourists use bicycles.

The city also plans to provide 100,000 bicycles for residents’ use in order to become the first eco-city in Vietnam.

Earlier this year, the UNESCO-recognized world heritage city of Hoi An, and Naha City, the capital of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, agreed to commence the third phase of the Eco-city Achievement Support Project.

Last year, Hoi An began the first trial of a public van route connecting major destinations, with funding from the Japan Fund for Global Environment.

Source: VNA