Lao Voices

Chinese made electric motorbikes have made their way into Laos. According to the Vientiane Times Newspaper, these electric powered motorbikes have been on sale in some shops in Vientiane since January of 2008. At Nong Duang market, you can get an electric motorcycle for about 4.4 million kip or roughly $477.00 for today’s currency exchange rate. This is the same price as motorcycle using gasoline. Consumers have the choice of selecting either 400W or an 800W bike. It takes about five hours to recharge a battery. A fully charged battery will let you travel at a distance of 60 to 70 KM, at a speed of 50 km per hour.

I asked my aunts in Vientiane if they know of anyone owning an electric motorbike and they told me a few of their neighbors have bought one to save money on gasoline. One neighbor uses it to go to work at Mahosot hospital and another neighbor bought it for a teenage daughter to get to school. It’s an ideal bike for those that don’t have to travel far on a daily basis. The design for these electric bikes selling in Laos is quite fashionable and it resembles a popular scooter design from the past.

Maybe in 10 years, we will see less of a petrol station in Laos and less gasoline depended motorbikes.

If I was living in Laos I would buy one for myself. It’s good for the environment and easier on the wallet. The next time I am in Laos, I will buy an electric bike for one of my aunts.