According to the roadmap of the "Project to develop a public transport system using electric buses and green energy in the city", by 2035, Hanoi will have 128-153 electric bus routes.
Based on the approved project, the Hanoi Department of Transport has been directed to develop a comprehensive implementation plan. To “green” buses, Hanoi will need about 48,000 billion VND. Of which, the city budget needs nearly 36,000 billion VND, the rest will be balanced and arranged by businesses.
The city has calculated that inner-city routes will use 100% electric buses. Outlying routes, connecting the suburbs to transfer points, will use green energy buses such as CNG/LNG. In the immediate future, the city will focus on electric bus routes connecting to urban railways.
To support business operations, authorities will also have separate sets of norms and a common set of standards in service provision management, ensuring consistency.
Affirming their determination to switch to green energy vehicles, public passenger transport units by bus still have many concerns about the mechanism and policies for accessing investment capital; charging station infrastructure issues; standard unit prices for electric buses, etc.
According to Mr. Pham Dinh Tien - Head of Planning & Operation Department (Hanoi Traffic Management and Operation Center), the Department of Transport is currently drafting a Decree to submit to the Hanoi People's Council on implementing the conversion to clean energy. In addition to interest rate support, there are other policies. It is expected that in 2025, it will be reported through the Hanoi People's Council.
At the same time, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hai - Vice President of Hanoi Public Passenger Transport Association (HAPTA) said that for a business operating traditional buses (diesel engines) to switch to green buses, new technology, it is necessary to change both the means of transport and the mindset. Bus businesses need to be determined, find resources to operate stably right from the beginning to go the long way, and accompany the city so that the green bus conversion is the fastest and most positive. At the same time, the city also needs support for businesses, with policies to facilitate the conversion.
General Director of Vinbus Ecological Transport Services Company Limited (the pioneer in piloting electric bus operation) - Mr. Nguyen Cong Nhat said that to prepare the charging station system, it is necessary to start from the route design (long or short route, how much energy is needed).
“If diesel vehicles only need to fill up with oil and start moving without having to worry, then electric buses need to be calculated quite carefully for each route (when to charge, how much capacity?). This is a more difficult and different problem than diesel vehicles,” said Mr. Nhat.
