The Hanoi People’s Committee has agreed to pilot an electric bike service in Hoan Kiem district operated by a smartphone app, VnExpress reported.

The electric bicycle is custom designed with a logo of Hanoi city and is expected to be launched this year.

Smart electric bike at a charging station (photo provided by the investor)

Vu Cao Tung, who runs the service, said the smart electric bicycle was developed by Singapore’s QIQ Global Company and customers will be able to rent the bike through a smartphone app.

The total project investment for the service is VND26 billion (US$1.12 million). The estimated renting fee is VND20,000 (US$0.86) for the first hour or VND200,000 (US$8.62) for a day.

After finishing the trial in Hoan Kiem district and getting the license, the investor will expand the system throughout the city.

The Hanoi People's Committee has assigned relevant units to study routes of the public electric bike service, and devise a network connecting shopping malls, office buildings and schools through the public bike service.

The city also requested the investor to develop a plan to disseminate the service among the city’s residents.