Motorcycle emission testing from 2027: No ban on old vehicles, only ban on high-emission vehicles

Draft National Technical Regulation on emissions from automobiles, motorbikes, and scooters stipulates that from July 1, 2027, motorbikes and scooters will have to undergo periodic emission inspection; old vehicles are not banned.

Exhaust fumes from vehicles. (Photo: Hung Vo/Vietnam+)

Referring to the roadmap for motorbike emission inspection from July 1, 2027 in the draft National Technical Regulation on emissions from automobiles, motorbikes, and scooters, a representative of the Department of Environment ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) said that this is a necessary solution to control emissions from tens of millions of vehicles in circulation, contributing to reducing air pollution in large cities.

The above policy is also expected to promote the elimination of old, dilapidated motorbikes with high emissions. As for old vehicles that still meet level 2 emission standards, even though they have been used for many years, they can still circulate in the inner city.

Roadmap to "tighten" traffic emission inspection

Deputy Director of the Department of Environment - Mr. Le Hoai Nam said that currently there are 70 million motorbikes and scooters in circulation nationwide. With such a large scale, the application of strict emission standards in the coming time will have a significant impact on air quality, especially in large cities.

Accordingly, implementing the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, in order to strengthen the control of urban air pollution and complete the system of National Technical Regulations (QCVN) on vehicle emissions, the Department of Environment was assigned to draft a Circular regulating QCVN on automobile, motorbike and motorbike emissions and the roadmap for application to submit to the Minister for promulgation.

Along with that, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment drafted a Decision on the roadmap for applying National Technical Regulations on emissions from motorbikes and mopeds participating in traffic and submitted it to the Government for the Prime Minister to promulgate.

However, Mr. Nam noted that almost every household now owns a motorbike, so policies need to be carefully formulated, with a clear roadmap and high consensus. This is a consistent viewpoint in the policy drafting process, in order to avoid shocking people, while improving compliance and implementation efficiency.

Accordingly, the latest draft of the National Technical Regulation on emissions from automobiles, motorbikes, and scooters stipulates that from July 1, 2027, motorbikes and scooters will have to undergo periodic emission testing to control emissions from tens of millions of vehicles in circulation, to reduce air pollution in large cities.

Maximum allowable limits of CO and HC parameters in exhaust gas of motorbikes and scooters. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment)

The time to start implementing emission inspection of motorbikes and mopeds participating in traffic in Vietnam is from July 1, 2027 for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; from July 1, 2028 for the remaining provinces and centrally-run cities; from July 1, 20230 for the remaining provinces and cities. Depending on the actual situation, these provinces and cities may stipulate an earlier application deadline.

In particular, according to the draft decision submitted to the Government, from January 1, 2030, all cars, motorbikes and scooters participating in traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City must meet emission standards of level 2 or higher. Vehicles that do not meet the requirements will be banned from circulating in the inner city.

“This regulation is a new point in the two drafts on automobile and motorbike emissions. The main goal is to gradually eliminate old, substandard vehicles, contributing to protecting public health and improving air quality,” Mr. Nam emphasized.

No ban on old cars, only ban on substandard cars

In a related development, at the consultation meeting on the draft National Technical Regulation on emissions from automobiles, motorbikes, and mopeds and the roadmap for application, recently organized by the Department of Environment, a representative of the Department of Registration also said that the inspection of motorbike emissions not only aims to reduce air pollution, but is also an important step in the process of modernizing the urban transport system.

According to a representative of the Registry Department, the above policy will promote the elimination of old, high-emission motorbikes; increase the demand for vehicle innovation, use of electric vehicles; and raise public awareness of environmental protection, especially in large cities.

However, to ensure implementation, the draft standard does not limit vehicles by year of manufacture. Accordingly, vehicles that meet level 2 emission standards, even if they have been used for many years, can still be circulated in the inner city.

Air pollution in Hanoi is a concern. (Photo: VNA)

In addition, some opinions also said that there are still many issues that need to be clarified such as inspection costs, support for low-income people, technical infrastructure for emission inspection, or mechanisms for handling substandard vehicles. These are issues that need to be specified in implementation guidance documents.

Currently, the Vietnam Register is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to develop a plan to inspect emissions for motorbikes and scooters, a group of vehicles that have not been subject to emission control for a long time.

Deputy Director of the Department of Environment Le Hoai Nam said that in the coming time, the authorities will strengthen propaganda and mobilization activities, but will not handle violations until 18 months from now (from July 1, 2025).

A representative of the Department of Environment also said that the draft national technical regulations on motor vehicle emissions are continuing to be completed, widely consulting with relevant parties before submitting to competent authorities for official promulgation./.

According to Vietnam+

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/kiem-dinh-khi-thai-xe-may-tu-2027-khong-cam-xe-cu-chi-cam-xe-phat-thai-cao-251018.htm