Ho Chi Minh City's Emission Control Roadmap Faces Concerns Over 'Too Rapid' Pace

The roadmap for traffic emission control proposed by Ho Chi Minh City is facing concerns from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) and experts, who argue that the timeline is "too rapid." While agreeing with the goals of reducing emissions and traffic congestion, VAMA points out that a sudden implementation could have unforeseen impacts on the automotive industry. Tomoki Yanagawa of VAMA stated at a social feedback conference on September 11 that the plan to pilot Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in the central districts and Thu Thiem from July 2027, with expansion in early 2029, is too fast-paced. He expressed particular concern that mandating 100% electric vehicles (EVs) by 2035 could prematurely affect the market, deter consumers, and disrupt the operations of assembly plants and supporting industries. Yanagawa suggested that the 18-month LEZ pilot period is too short and proposed a gradual expansion based on the readiness of infrastructure and the market. He also recommended managing vehicles by emission standards rather than fuel type and recognizing transitional technologies like hybrid vehicles (HEVs, PHEVs), which can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by over 57% in congested conditions without requiring external charging stations. This view was echoed by several experts. Dr. Tran Van, former deputy head of the National Assembly's Economic and Financial Committee, questioned the feasibility of the roadmap. He noted that the LEZ expansion, affecting over 6.1 million residents and about 11.5 million daily trips, might overwhelm the planned charging infrastructure. He also expressed concern that mandating the electrification of all motorcycles by 2028 and phasing out gasoline cars by 2040 would place a significant burden on citizens, especially low-income groups. Vo Khanh Hung, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Construction, assured that the proposal is being carefully considered due to its broad impact. He emphasized that the city aims for a comprehensive solution, addressing infrastructure, inspection capabilities, management systems, and supportive policies, rather than imposing isolated vehicle restrictions. The feedback from the conference will be compiled and submitted for further review.