Ho Chi Minh City Aims for Electric Vehicle Transition for Public Officials by 2030

Ho Chi Minh City has directed relevant agencies to accelerate the transition of official vehicles and personal transportation used by civil servants to electric vehicles (EVs) and green energy models by 2030. This initiative is part of the city's broader strategy to combat air pollution and promote sustainable transportation. The directive was issued by Mr. Hoang Nguyen Dinh, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, during a working session on the plan for emissions control and green transportation development. The Department of Construction is tasked with collaborating with related units to develop a plan to expedite the conversion of official vehicles and personal cars of civil servants in state agencies. Originally, the plan proposed that all motorcycles and motorbikes used by this group would be electric or green energy-powered by 2030. However, the city aims to shorten this timeline, positioning state agencies as pioneers in the green transportation transition. Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City is pushing for the accelerated conversion of inter-provincial buses and contract passenger cars with fewer than 9 seats operating within the city. Thanh An Island, an administrative island of Can Gio District, is targeted for an earlier completion of this transition than initially planned. Regarding the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city center, where travel demand is high, the city has decided to conduct pilot studies on a smaller scale to assess effectiveness and gain experience before potential expansion. This approach is a revision from the previous proposal to implement LEZ within the Ring Road 2 area, which encompasses over 6.1 million residents and generates more than 11.5 million daily trips. The city will also research increased support for specific areas and groups that require encouragement for this transition, with incentives gradually decreasing over time. The involved units are instructed to learn from international experiences and select solutions suitable for Ho Chi Minh City's real-world conditions. The Department of Construction is responsible for finalizing the plan and will submit it to the City People's Committee for review by the City Party Committee and the People's Committee, before it is presented to the City People's Council for approval. The dossier is expected to be completed by August 2026. According to the proposed roadmap, from 2027, buses operating within the LEZ must use electricity or green energy. A year later, taxis, contract vehicles, trucks, and private cars entering this area must meet emission standards of level 4 or 5, depending on the vehicle type. By 2029, motorcycles operating within the LEZ must meet emission standards of level 4 or higher. In 2030, the city will continue to raise standards for internal combustion engine vehicles while promoting the use of electric, hybrid, and green energy vehicles. The goal is for a majority of vehicles within the LEZ to use electricity or green energy by 2035, with the city-wide transition to be completed by 2040. Beyond the inner-city areas, the plan also proposes early implementation of green transportation in Con Dao and Can Gio, with Con Dao expected to complete its transition by 2030 and Can Gio by 2035. Source: VnExpress