People proactively convert
The Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) issued Decision No. 1191/QD-BGTVT dated September 30, 2024. Accordingly, from 2030, newly manufactured, assembled and imported motorbike models must have a fuel consumption of no more than 2.3 liters/100km. For cars, fuel consumption from 2030 must reach 4.7 liters to 6.3 liters/100km, depending on the type of car with a capacity of less than 1,400cc to over 2,000cc.
According to the Vietnam Register, many motorbike models currently have a fuel consumption exceeding 2.3 liters/100km. The Institute of Transport Science and Technology (ITST) said that up to 97% of internal combustion engine (ICE) car models will be forced to stop production and import due to not reaching the required fuel consumption level by 2030.
Therefore, people and businesses cannot hesitate to switch to electric vehicles from now on.
Mr. Pham Kien, a resident of Nam Tu Liem district, shared: "My family has completely switched to using cars and electric motorbikes since 2024. After using it, I realized that traveling by electric vehicle helps ensure the environment and health. Electricity costs are also more economical than previous gasoline vehicles".
As a regular taxi user, Ms. Hoang Thi Ngoc in Cau Giay, Hanoi said: "I have stopped calling a taxi for gas, because they often have an unpleasant smell and cause pollution."
Ready to shorten conversion time
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Phung Minh Nguyet - Vice President of the Vietnam Automobile, Motorcycle and Bicycle Association (VamoBA) - said that the environment in Vietnam, especially in the two major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is seriously polluted.
We often witness rush hour traffic jams, tens of thousands of motorbikes emitting exhaust gas into the air, causing suffocation for traffic participants. The obvious consequences are declining health, decreased life expectancy, increased cancer and other diseases, leading to a health burden and unpredictable damage.
Regarding this issue, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 876/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022, on the Green Energy Transition Program, to reduce carbon and methane emissions in the transport sector.
The goal by 2040 is to limit and eventually end the production, assembly, and import of cars, motorbikes, and vehicles using fossil fuels. By 2050, 100% of road motor vehicles, including personal cars, buses and specialized vehicles, will use electricity or green energy. At the same time, the charging infrastructure will be improved to meet the needs of people and businesses.
"From the perspective of the association, we believe that the above conversion time is still long; businesses can completely shorten it. Compared to neighboring countries such as China, Thailand, Malaysia... they have applied emission reduction measures for a long time. In many big cities, people have almost completely switched to electric vehicles," said Ms. Phung Minh Nguyet.
Vietnam is currently a low-middle-income country, but switching vehicles from gasoline vehicles to electric vehicles is not a major obstacle for workers. With advances in science and technology, businesses are also fully ready to switch from gasoline car production to electric car.
For the Association, which gathers members to produce and assemble two-wheeled vehicles, we have oriented member businesses to limit the production of gasoline vehicles and increase investment in the production of electric vehicles. The output can reach 1.5 million units per year, fully meeting domestic demand and aiming for export.
The Association also proposed to adjust the roadmap to achieve the Net Zero target (net emissions of 0) from 2050 to 2035 according to Decision 876/QD-TTg. Second, control emissions according to specific standards each year and each area, in which densely populated areas need to apply stricter standards. Third, invest in emission inspection equipment at repair, warranty, and maintenance points of agents. In addition, there should be a policy to support businesses producing two-wheeled electric vehicles through tax incentives, registration fees and simplification of quality inspection procedures.
Regarding reducing emissions from cars, according to the upcoming draft, cars manufactured before 1999 are required to have their emissions inspected. However, Mr. Nguyen Van Quyen, Chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, informed that since 2024, many transportation businesses in big cities have reviewed the types of vehicles that need inspection and proactively repaired them to reduce emissions that harm the environment.
