Green transportation: Need to synchronize clean fuel and emission standards

At the 'Green Energy - Clean City' Forum, experts and businesses emphasized: Vietnam needs a synchronous roadmap between emission control and clean fuel standardization.

The key factor is social consensus.

Mr. Truong Manh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Quality Management (Department of Environment), said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is being assigned to advise the Government on promulgating a Roadmap for applying emission standards for motorbikes and scooters, initially to be implemented in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Truong Manh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Quality Management (Department of Environment) said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is being assigned to advise the Government on promulgating a Roadmap for applying emission standards for motorbikes and scooters. Photo: Dinh Tung.

According to Mr. Tuan, the emission inspection system has been applied to cars, but motorbikes are still a “gap” because there are no regulations to control vehicles in circulation. “If applied from 2027, we cannot immediately eliminate old vehicles, but need to harmonize the goals of environmental protection and ensuring social security,” he emphasized.

The biggest challenge, according to Mr. Tuan, is the ability to implement it in practice. Vietnam needs about 400-500 inspection points nationwide, along with 18 months of preparation time before officially applying it from January 2027. In the first phase, the Ministry will prioritize completing infrastructure, testing measurement methods and promoting propaganda so that people understand and proactively participate.

In addition, fuel infrastructure remains a notable issue when the market has many different types of gasoline. “Decision 19/2024/QD-TTg stipulates emission level 5, but in reality, the supply of standard fuel still needs clear policies to ensure vehicles operate according to standards,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is currently coordinating with ministries such as Construction, Science and Technology, and Industry and Trade to complete infrastructure, technical standards, and community communication. “The initial regulations will not be too strict, and the inspection costs will not be high, but the key factor is social consensus,” Mr. Tuan affirmed.

Auto businesses proactively meet emission standards

The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) affirmed that the entire industry is ready for level 5 emission standards, equivalent to European standards.

Mr. Dao Cong Quyet, representative of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), said that the level 5 standard not only helps vehicles to be safe, save fuel and increase their lifespan, but also significantly reduces negative impacts on the environment. Photo: Dinh Tung.

Mr. Dao Cong Quyet, representative of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), said that the members of the Association have proactively invested and converted production lines since 2022 to meet national regulations. “All new imported cars currently meet emission level 5, while used cars meet at least level 4,” he said.

According to Mr. Quyet, the level 5 standard not only helps vehicles to be safe, save fuel and increase their lifespan, but also significantly reduces negative impacts on the environment.

Regarding the source of standard fuel, Mr. Quyet admitted that the supply of level 5 fuel is still limited, making it difficult for consumers to access. “We hope that the Ministry of Industry and Trade will increase the popularization of level 5 fuel so that customers can use it properly,” he said.

VAMA also supports the provision of only one type of fuel, similar to the model of developed countries. However, with E10 biofuel, he said that a suitable transition roadmap is needed because many old car models are not compatible. The association recommends close monitoring from the mixing, transportation to distribution stages, and recommends applying a minimum level of level 4 for E10 gasoline.

“Enterprises are ready, but there needs to be synchronous coordination between management agencies, the media and the community. Only then can the emissions roadmap be effectively implemented,” Mr. Quyet emphasized.

The petroleum market needs unified fuel standards.

The Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association said that to effectively control emissions, it is necessary to end the parallel existence of many types of fuel.

According to Mr. Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association, if many types of fuel continue to coexist, it will be difficult to organize the implementation of new emission regulations. Photo: Dinh Tung.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Petroleum Association, said that after Decision 49/2011/QD-TTg, Vietnam's fuel system has become complicated because the two Dung Quat and Nghi Son oil refineries only meet level 3 standards, while the world has moved up to level 4-5.

“The Vietnamese petrol market is currently one of the most complex in the world, consumers do not know what type of fuel their vehicles should use. Businesses sell according to demand, people choose according to cheap prices, so levels 2-3 still dominate,” he said.

According to Mr. Bao, if many types of fuel continue to coexist, it will be difficult to organize the implementation of new emission regulations. He proposed selling only one unified type of fuel, at least E10 gasoline, to simplify management and encourage people to switch.

“We went from leaded to unleaded very quickly and there was no negative feedback,” he stressed. “If we continue to have both low and high grades, we will never meet our emissions reduction targets.”

It is necessary to clearly identify emission sources to reduce pollution.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Van Dinh Son Tho, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, accurately identifying emission sources is the key for Vietnam to effectively control urban air pollution.

Associate Professor Dr. Van Dinh Son Tho, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that diesel-fueled transportation, along with construction and thermal power activities, are the main sources of PM in Hanoi. Photo: Hoang Hien.

Associate Professor Dr. Van Dinh Son Tho said that diesel-fueled traffic, along with construction and thermal power activities, are the main sources of fine dust in Hanoi. “If the cause is not clearly identified, solutions to reduce emissions will be difficult to put into practice,” he emphasized.

Currently, two domestic refineries supply about 70% of gasoline production, but most of them only meet Euro 3 standards. Meanwhile, new car models have reached Euro 4, while motorbikes - the majority - still have difficulty meeting Euro 5 standards. Mr. Tho believes that a synchronous transition roadmap is needed from fuel, engine technology to emission management. "At the current pace, Vietnam can reach Euro 4-5 levels around 2028," he predicted.

Mr. Tho also noted that switching to electric vehicles only makes real sense when the power source is clean. “If electricity is still mainly from coal-fired thermal power plants, electric vehicles may not emit CO₂ directly, but the amount of PM2.5 fine dust from the electricity production process may be even higher,” he analyzed.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/giao-thong-xanh-can-dong-bo-giua-nhien-lieu-sach-va-quy-chuan-khi-thai-d782930.html