Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen To An, Deputy Director of the Department of Inspection, Ministry of Construction, said that regarding the roadmap for motorbike emissions, the Department only proposes the procedures and methods for implementation.
Accordingly, we need to apply motorbike emission testing for old and dilapidated vehicles first. This is a group with a high risk of pollution. Then expand to lower risk groups. At the same time, through the process of both reviewing and evaluating, it should not be done en masse. Because currently the whole country does not have a practical basis for motorcycle emission inspection.
Mr. Nguyen To An added that motorcycle emission inspection is not only carried out at inspection centers but can be carried out at motorcycle assembly facility agents. However, after reviewing, the Department of Registration assessed that there are only about 2,000 facilities nationwide that meet motorbike emission inspection standards. Meanwhile, to inspect motorbikes in circulation in Vietnam, it is necessary to have 5,000 inspection facilities.
Currently, the country has more than 70 million motorbikes and scooters, including 19.7 million vehicles manufactured from 2008 (old vehicles) or earlier; 21.5 million vehicles from 2009 to 2016; 23.5 million vehicles from 2017 to present. Of which, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have the largest number of motorbikes in the country, respectively 5.6 and 8.6 million vehicles.
The inspection cycle has been stipulated in Circular 47/2024. Accordingly, motorbikes used for less than 5 years are exempted from emission inspection. Motorbikes over 5 to 12 years old have an emission inspection cycle of 24 months/time. Motorbikes over 12 years old have an emission inspection cycle of 12 months/time.
Regarding the roadmap for motorbike emission inspection, it is still being consulted by the authorities. In early June, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment announced a new draft on the roadmap for applying emission standards to motorbikes in circulation in Vietnam. Accordingly, the time for emission inspection will be postponed compared to the previous draft, to create more preparation time for people and localities.
According to the new draft, the start of motorbike emission inspection in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be postponed to July 1, 2027, 6 months later than the previous roadmap. Other major cities such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho and Hue will be implemented from July 1, 2028.
For the remaining provinces and cities, the time to apply emission inspection regulations is set for July 1, 2030, but still opens up the possibility for localities to proactively adjust earlier, depending on actual conditions.
This adjustment aims to ensure consensus and create conditions for people to not be passive in the process of implementing the policy. Major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will still be the leaders in tightening emission management.
Assessing the impact of the policy on applying motorbike emissions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said that in addition to positive impacts, the policy may have some negative impacts such as:
This policy can cause costs for people, especially low-income groups using used vehicles (before 2008) that do not meet standards. This type of old motorbike may be forced to repair or replace the vehicle.
incurring initial investment costs for inspection infrastructure (equipment, human resources, facilities) and administrative management.
If there is no suitable system to recall and treat old vehicles, pollution can arise from old vehicles that are not properly treated.
Risk of overloading the inspection system in the early stages if there is no reasonable plan or timely communication.
Can cause social problems, causing social reactions if there is a lack of financial support policies, communication to raise awareness especially for vulnerable groups with low incomes.
