Discussing urgent tasks and solutions to improve air quality in the capital and the Northern region at the seminar "Improving the quality of urban air", Mr. Le Hoai Nam - Deputy Director of the Department of Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said:
In the field of transportation, the Ministry has submitted to the Prime Minister a draft regulation on the roadmap for applying national technical regulations on emissions for cars in circulation in Vietnam.
According to the draft, the roadmap for tightening automobile emissions is divided into 5 standard levels, while currently Vietnam only applies levels 1 and 2. The draft proposes a roadmap to gradually increase to levels 3, 4 and 5. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will apply it earlier and more closely.
Accordingly: Automobiles manufactured in the period of 2017-2021 will have to meet level 4 from January 1, 2027; Automobiles manufactured from 2022 onwards must comply with level 5 from January 1, 2028.
This is considered an important regulatory group to reduce emissions from cars in the two largest urban areas in the country.
Control of emissions of motorbikes and mopeds is also being implemented. According to Mr. Nam, according to the new law - especially the Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order (through 2024), regulations on controlling emissions of motorbikes and mopeds have come into effect.
The Ministry has also submitted to the Prime Minister a draft roadmap for applying emission standards for motorbikes and mopeds, including 4 levels. In which, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are proposed to apply more strictly. Specifically, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will start applying from July 1, 2027; Other localities will implement according to a slower roadmap to suit the reality.
The reason for choosing this time is because motorbike and moped emissions inspection requires the construction of a system of inspection stations and centers nationwide. With nearly 80 million motorbikes, localities need time to prepare infrastructure and resources.
The Deputy Director of the Department of Environment said that the draft also proposes higher requirements in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From January 1, 2028, all motorbikes and mopeds in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City must reach level 2 or higher, in order to gradually eliminate vehicles with large emissions.
To implement, it is necessary to have the synchronous participation of ministries and branches such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure fuel supply in accordance with new emission standards. According to Mr. Nam, currently the fuel on the market mainly meets the level of 23, while vehicles are about to have to comply with the level of 45, creating a problem that needs to be solved. The construction of a new motorcycle emission inspection center system is starting, so localities must urgently deploy.
