Emission reduction policies are shaping a new generation of vehicles
Committing to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 has become a consistent direction in Vietnam's sustainable development strategy. In which, the transportation sector is identified as one of the industries that needs to prioritize emission reduction to improve environmental quality and community health.
Right from 2011, the Government issued Decision No. 49/2011/QD-TTg stipulating the roadmap for applying emission standards to newly manufactured, assembled and imported cars. Accordingly, from January 1, 2017, new cars circulating on the market must meet emission standard level 4 (Euro 4); from January 1, 2022, it will continue to be raised to level 5 (Euro 5).
In addition to the roadmap for applying emission standards to newly manufactured, assembled and imported vehicles, state management agencies are also gradually implementing a roadmap for emission control for vehicles in circulation.
According to Decision No. 43/2025/QD-TTg and related regulations on emissions of road vehicles, from 2026 Vietnam will gradually apply emission standards corresponding to each vehicle group according to the year of manufacture. The inspection and assessment of the emission standard compliance level of vehicles will be carried out through periodic registration activities.
In which, cars manufactured from 2017 to 2021 will gradually apply emission levels equivalent to Euro 3 and Euro 4; cars manufactured from 2022 onwards will move towards applying emission levels equivalent to Euro 4 and Euro 5 according to the roadmap.
Vehicles meeting high emission standards increase rapidly
Market reality shows that this demand has clearly formed. According to aggregated data, the Vietnamese market has about 6-7 million cars in circulation. Of which, the number of cars produced and consumed from 2017 to date - corresponding to Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards - reached about 3.3 million cars, accounting for 48% to 56% of the total number of cars in circulation nationwide.
The rapid increase in the group of vehicles meeting high emission standards shows that the market has seen an urgent demand for high-quality fuel products, suitable for modern engine technology and the Government's emission reduction orientation.
High-quality fuel becomes a market demand
Not only Euro 4 and Euro 5 vehicles, car lines manufactured before 2017 - mainly meeting Euro 2 or Euro 3 emission standards - can also completely use fuel that meets Euro 4 or Euro 5 standards.
In fact, compared to Euro 3 fuel, Euro 5 fuel has a 15 times lower sulfur content, and emissions of CO, THC and NOx are reduced by about 60%. Uncontrolled PM content decreases to 0.005 grams/km... This shows that high-quality fuel is not only suitable for new generation vehicles but also benefits most vehicles in circulation.
Notably, in the process of contributing opinions on the roadmap for deploying E10 bio-gasoline, the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) proposed using E10 RON95 gasoline with a minimum Euro 4 emission standard. According to the Association, the use of E10 RON95 gasoline with a lower Euro 4 standard may not be compatible with newly manufactured, assembled and imported car lines circulating on the market, thereby affecting the engine performance, vehicle durability as well as emission control efficiency.
VAMA's recommendation shows that the demand for high-quality fuel not only stems from environmental protection requirements but is also formed from the technical requirements of new generations of vehicles. In the context of the increasing number of vehicles meeting Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards, ensuring the supply of compatible fuel products is becoming a practical requirement of the market.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) said that car lines of member brands such as Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, SYM and Suzuki are basically compatible with E10 fuel without technical changes. This shows that the trend of vehicle development in Vietnam is increasingly associated with clean fuels and high-quality fuels.
Petroleum businesses proactively meet market demand
Faced with the rapid increase in vehicles meeting high emission standards and the increasing demand for high-quality fuel, ensuring a stable supply of suitable fuel products is becoming an inevitable requirement of the market. Many key petroleum businesses have proactively invested in infrastructure, warehouse systems, blending and distribution to supply fuel products to meet the requirements of new generations of vehicles as well as the Government's emission reduction roadmap.
In which, Petrolimex and some key enterprises in the market have deployed the supply of gasoline and oil products that meet high emission standards on a wide scale. Petrolimex currently supplies non-fibre gasoline products that meet Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards; diesel oil products that meet Euro 5 standards, suitable for generations of vehicles that are increasingly popular in Vietnam.
Euro 4 and Euro 5 fuels supplemented with biofuels are optimal solutions for road vehicles, not only meeting the increasingly clear needs of the market but also contributing to supporting the emission reduction process, improving environmental quality and promoting Vietnam's green growth goals.
