Brian Jeffrey
New Guidelines for Green Transport Initiatives
The ministry has mandated its units to enhance regulations aimed at promoting the use of electric vehicles and environmentally friendly transportation methods in the forthcoming 2024 Road Law and the Road Traffic Safety and Order Law.
According to Decision No 1191, which outlines plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 2030, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) aims for 30% of the population to utilize electric cars and 22% to opt for electric motorbikes among all vehicles in use.
To achieve these objectives, the Vietnam Register (VR), along with the Vietnam Road and Expressway Administrations, is tasked with reviewing and updating national technical regulations for electric vehicles up to 2030.
Furthermore, MOT is working on establishing criteria and developing Vietnamese standards for eco-friendly stopovers, airports, and railway stations, guiding new construction efforts.
To meet public and commercial demands, the development of electric charging stations and infrastructure at transport hubs will be prioritized.
By 2030, it is projected that all motorbikes should conform to a fuel consumption benchmark of 2.3 liters per 100 kilometers, while newly manufactured or imported cars with up to nine seats must meet specific fuel efficiency standards based on engine sizes.
The timeline indicates that by 2027, 30% of vehicles should comply with the new standards, 50% by 2028, 75% by 2029, and a complete transition by 2030.
In urban areas like Hanoi, public transportation should account for 45-50% of total traffic, while in Ho Chi Minh City it should reach 25%, Da Nang 25-35%, Can Tho 20%, Hai Phong 10-15%, and first-class urban regions will strive for at least 5%.
Classification of Clean Energy Vehicles
MOT has instructed the VR to create guidelines for classifying road transport vehicles, including ways to identify those that use clean and green energy.
Following a thorough review and input gathering, Circular 53 was published in November 2024, aimed at classifying road transport vehicles, and is effective from January 1, 2025.
As outlined in Circular 53/2024, motor vehicles classified as clean energy or environmentally friendly do not emit carbon while operating. Examples include plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The circular also states that clean energy vehicles can be identified by a green examination stamp.
On January 2, 2025, a meeting presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha discussed policies to facilitate the adoption of electric and green-energy vehicles, stemming from Prime Minister’s Decision No 876 aimed at transitioning to green energy and reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector.
Addressing the severe air pollution issue, especially in major cities, Ha stressed the need for comprehensive solutions to eliminate pollution sources, which includes phasing out gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
“The government holds a responsibility towards its citizens and must take specific actions in a timely manner,” said Ha.
Now is the time for relevant ministries and departments to devise a cohesive strategy that raises public awareness and encourages a shift away from fossil fuel vehicles towards greener alternatives. This includes enhancing green public transit systems, establishing convenient transport networks, and creating plans to manage personal vehicle distributions based on pollution levels.
In line with Vietnam’s COP26 commitments, the Prime Minister’s Decision 876 aims to establish a program for green energy transition and emissions reduction in transport, aspiring for a green transport system that achieves net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The action plan includes initiatives for urban rail systems, high-speed railways, electrified railways, and the development of green ports as part of a strategy to promote electric and green-energy vehicles.
