Bac Ninh: Promoting green transportation

BAC NINH - Implementing Decision No. 876/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on the Action Program for Green Energy Transition and Reduction of Carbon and Methane Emissions in the Transportation Sector, Bac Ninh province is actively developing green transportation, contributing to emission reduction.

Huong Giang Taxi Transport Cooperative (Bac Giang Ward) is one of the first units in the province to switch from gasoline-powered taxis to electric taxis. Quickly grasping development trends and market demand, the cooperative boldly invested in electric vehicles starting in 2024. Currently, the cooperative owns approximately 300 electric cars out of a total of 350 service vehicles, a number expected to increase by the end of this year. Through practical operation, the cooperative has found that the electric taxi model not only brings high economic efficiency thanks to fuel cost savings and initial warranty policies, but also contributes to reducing emissions and protecting the environment. In the future, the cooperative plans to convert 100% of its gasoline-powered vehicles to electric ones.

Electric taxis belonging to Huong Giang Taxi Transport Cooperative.

According to statistics from the Bac Ninh Department of Construction, the number of taxis and private vehicles switching to electric cars is increasing. Mr. Nguyen Khac Minh (Nenh Ward) shared his experience: “I have been using an electric car for 2 years, and each full charge allows me to travel about 450 km. Charging is very convenient because there are many charging stations in easily accessible areas.”

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, not just electric cars. Other personal vehicles like electric bicycles and electric motorbikes. According to experts, transportation is a key sector in the national economy but also one of the major sources of emissions (accounting for approximately 20% of total emissions). To realize the goal of sustainable development and reduce environmental pollution, on July 22, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 876/QD-TTg approving the Action Program for Green Energy Transition and Reduction of Carbon and Methane Emissions in the Transportation Sector, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.

Based on directives from the Central Government, the former Bac Ninh province and the former Bac Giang province both developed implementation plans. These plans initially attracted businesses involved in the production and sale of automobiles, motorcycles, and electric bicycles; thousands of charging stations for electric vehicles were planned and arranged; and renewable energy was utilized in traffic control areas. In its journey to promote green development, the province signed a cooperation agreement with Vingroup to implement the "green transformation, green growth, sustainable development" program for the period 2025-2030. Key areas of focus include green tourism, green transportation, and a green lifestyle.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Head of the Transport and Traffic Safety Department (Department of Construction), the process of converting vehicles from gasoline to electric faces many obstacles, especially the high initial investment cost. For example, a 30-seat diesel bus costs about 2 billion VND, while a similar electric bus costs nearly 4 billion VND. In addition to vehicle costs, businesses also have to invest in charging station infrastructure.

Recognizing that energy transition in transportation is an inevitable trend, Bac Ninh continues to implement a series of solutions to overcome difficulties. In the short term, it is necessary to accelerate the progress and soon launch an electric bus route connecting Kinh Bac ward and Bac Giang ward; and to plan and arrange additional suitable charging stations. In the long term, the focus is on organizing smart transportation at all bus stations and rest stops to meet green criteria; and converting machinery and equipment used for loading and unloading that use fossil fuels to use electricity and green energy.

Along with the above solutions, many opinions suggest that green transportation is not just a choice of means of transport, but also a comprehensive approach in urban infrastructure planning, transport management, and the application of smart technology. The focus should be on developing smart logistics systems, upgrading the quality of public transportation, and applying technology in operational management. Furthermore, in the new phase of urban development planning, priority should be given to developing green transportation infrastructure, ensuring synchronization with modern urban infrastructure.

Text and photos: Trinh Lan

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/bac-ninh-thuc-day-giao-thong-xanh-postid424532.bbg