On the morning of June 9, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh worked with the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) on solutions for the problem of converting motorbikes and mopeds using fossil fuels in Hanoi.
The meeting was attended by representatives of leaders of departments and branches of Hanoi City. On the VAMM side, there were Ms. Sayaka Arai - President of the Association, General Director of Honda Vietnam and representatives of VAMM members in Vietnam.
At the meeting, Ms. Sayaka Arai, on behalf of VAMM members, proposed to the city solutions to convert motorbikes and mopeds using fossil fuels in Hanoi.
Accordingly, the Chairman of VAMM recommended that the city should orient gasoline vehicles towards cleaner production and use of gasoline vehicles, including limiting fuel consumption, EURO4 emission standards, biofuel, controlling vehicle emissions... For electric vehicles, VAMM recommended that the city develop a suitable and feasible roadmap for conversion as soon as possible from 2030.
The VAMM Chairman emphasized that converting gasoline vehicles to electric vehicles is an important policy, having a great impact on stakeholders. Therefore, VAMM proposes that the Government and Hanoi City should expand exchanges and discussions with all relevant parties to make appropriate decisions. At the same time, the city needs to have thorough discussions on the level of air pollution caused by gasoline vehicles to assess the effectiveness of the policy of switching to electric vehicles.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh thanked and acknowledged VAMM's statements and recommendations to improve policies and implement practices related to motorbikes in general and electric motorbikes in particular in Hanoi.
According to the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, in Vietnam, especially in large cities, there are many problems caused by motorbikes, although they also bring convenience to people. Therefore, on July 4, 2017, the City People's Council issued Resolution No. 04/2017/NQ-HDND on approving the Project "Strengthening the management of road vehicles to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution in Hanoi, period 2017-2020 with a vision to 2030".
Therefore, it cannot be said that this is a surprise decision for people or businesses. The Hanoi government will continue to implement this plan in 4 inner-city districts with specific steps carefully considered.
Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh emphasized that with the attention of VAMM, the city will continue to review the implementation time, but cannot delay too long. Currently, many countries in the world, including Japan and the European Union, are supporting the city in developing a public transport system. According to the roadmap for the period 2030-2035, Hanoi will build about 10 urban railway lines.
We realize that not all problems are caused by motorbikes, but motorbikes are a factor affecting many social problems and urban culture. This not only affects personal convenience but also affects the living environment of the community" - Mr. Tran Sy Thanh said.
Therefore, the city will continue to innovate, build a healthier urban environment and hope VAMM will join Hanoi in this process. The use of motorbikes is a cultural feature of Vietnam, so converting motorbikes and mopeds to fossil fuels requires a roadmap.
"However, if we are not determined, it is unknown when Hanoi will develop a civilized, clean and beautiful urban area like major cities in Japan as well as countries around the world" - Chairman of the City People's Committee emphasized.
