Strictly apply automobile emission standards: No vehicle ban based on year of manufacture

A representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said that the agency is seeking opinions from ministries, sectors and localities on the draft regulations on the roadmap for applying emission standards for automobiles in circulation in Vietnam. Emission testing with stricter regulations, expected to be applied from January 1, 2026, is expected to contribute to improving air pollution in large cities.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also noted that instead of worrying about the vehicle being banned, people should focus on ensuring that their cars are operating well; old cars can still be circulated if they meet emission standards.

Requirements on emission standards and regulations

With the increase in population over the past 10 years, in large cities (especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), private cars are becoming one of the main sources of emissions causing air pollution.

According to UNICEF, the average PM2.5 index in Vietnam in 2023 is nearly 6 times higher than the recommended level of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Data recently released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also shows that dust from traffic, industry, construction, and adverse weather conditions are the reasons why the air in large cities is getting worse. Traffic is identified as the main source of emissions.

Many studies have also found that the rapid increase in the number of private cars over the past years, along with the lack of effective emission control, is contributing to worsening air pollution in urban areas. Notably, air pollution levels in 2024 increased by an average of 10% compared to the previous year.

To improve the air environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is seeking comments on the draft Decision of the Prime Minister on the roadmap for applying national technical regulations on automobile emissions in circulation in Vietnam.

Accordingly, the draft stipulates a specific roadmap: Cars manufactured before 1999 must meet emission level 1; cars manufactured since 1999 (period from 1999-2016) must meet emission level 2, applied from the effective date of the decision.

Cars manufactured from 2017 (from 2017-2021) must meet emission level 3, applicable from January 1, 2026; cars registered in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City manufactured from 2017 must meet emission level 4, applicable from January 1, 2026.

For cars with spark ignition engines and cars with compression ignition engines manufactured from 2022, level 4 will apply from January 1, 2026 and level 5 from January 1, 2028. Particularly, cars registered in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City manufactured from 2022 will have to meet emission level 5, applicable from January 1, 2027.

A representative of the Department of Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) said that the draft is stipulating 5 different emission standards that cars participating in traffic must meet depending on the year of manufacture, in order to have a basis for appropriate application to the production technology and emission treatment technology of each stage.

In particular, tightening emission standards aims to reduce air pollution, especially in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This also aims to protect people's health; in line with the global trend of environmental protection.

However, a representative of the Department of Environment also noted: "This is a requirement on standards and regulations on vehicle emissions when participating in traffic, not a vehicle ban."

In addition, localities and cities can issue their own roadmap, stricter than the general regulations, depending on the economic and environmental situation; pay attention to additional regulations related to low emission zones (LEZ) and locally issued standards.

No vehicle ban by year of manufacture

The representative of the Department of Environment also said that the draft regulation on the roadmap for applying emission standards for cars circulating in Vietnam does not mention "banning cars based on year of manufacture" but requires cars to meet appropriate emission standards.

“Old cars can still be used normally if they meet the corresponding emission standards,” the representative of the Department of Environment emphasized.

Therefore, instead of worrying about the vehicle being banned, people should focus on ensuring that their cars are well-operated, that their exhaust treatment systems meet the prescribed standards and regulations by regularly maintaining and servicing them according to the manufacturer's recommendations; or consider gradually switching to electric and hybrid vehicles. This is an environmentally friendly trend that is growing globally.

In addition, the draft also mentions the term of use; how to determine the year of manufacture for motor vehicles. In which, trucks and special-purpose vehicles have a maximum term of 25 years from the year of manufacture; passenger vehicles with 9 seats or more, school buses and 4-wheeled motor vehicles are 20 years; 4-wheeled passenger vehicles with engines are 15 years.

Vehicles without records or documents identifying the year of manufacture will be considered expired and will not be allowed to circulate.

The year of manufacture of the vehicle will be determined based on documents such as technical quality certificate, factory inspection certificate, information attached to the vehicle or documents provided by the manufacturer. In case there is not enough legal basis, the vehicle will not be allowed to continue participating in traffic.

According to the Department of Environment, the above regulation is an important step towards green transportation, supporting the development of electric vehicles, increasing energy efficiency and gradually building smarter, cleaner cities./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ap-dung-nghiem-quy-chuan-ve-khi-thai-oto-khong-cam-xe-theo-nam-san-xuat-248669.htm