A CONCRETE ROADMAP: NO LONGER A DISTANT PROSPECT

In Hanoi: According to the plan, the city will ban gasoline motorbikes within Ring Road 1 starting from July 1, 2026, expanding to Ring Road 2 by 2028, and covering the entire inner city area by 2030.
In Ho Chi Minh City: The city aims to convert 400,000 gasoline motorbikes (mainly used for ride-hailing services) to electric ones by 2029.

BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO ELECTRIC MOTORBIKES

1. Reduced Air Pollution - Protecting Public Health Studies show that gasoline/diesel-powered vehicles are the primary source of fine dust and greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas. Replacing millions of gasoline motorbikes with electric ones will significantly reduce CO₂, NOx, and SOx—the main culprits behind air pollution and respiratory diseases. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), 70% of urban emissions in Hanoi come from transportation, predominantly from old, dilapidated motorbikes.

2. Lower Operating Costs The cost of charging an electric vehicle is only about 1/4 to 1/5 of the cost of refueling a gasoline one. There is no need for regular oil changes or the complex maintenance required for gasoline engines. On average, an electric motorbike costs ~5,000 VND in electricity to travel 100km, while a gasoline motorbike costs ~30,000–40,000 VND.

3. Promoting the Domestic Clean Technology Industry The growth of companies like VinFast, Selex Motors, and Dat Bike has proven that Vietnam is fully capable of producing high-quality electric vehicles at competitive prices. This helps create new jobs, attract green technology investment, and enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities.

4. Infrastructure is Gradually Improving Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have set targets to build thousands of charging and battery-swapping stations. The rapid deployment of this network will make operating an electric vehicle as convenient as a gasoline one.

CHALLENGES & DISADVANTAGES THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED

1. High Upfront Cost for Low-Income Earners Although the price of electric vehicles is gradually decreasing, the average cost of 20–40 million VND remains a barrier for many manual laborers, students, and ride-hailing drivers. As one resident shared: “Electric motorbikes are nice and run smoothly, but affording one is another story.”

2. Charging Time & Limited Range Most common electric motorbikes today can only travel 60–90 km per charge, while a full charge can take 4–8 hours. This affects those who need to travel long distances or frequently, such as shippers and ride-hailing drivers.

3. Inconsistent Charging Infrastructure Despite expansion plans, finding a fast-charging station in residential or suburban areas, especially during peak hours, remains difficult. Users without secure parking spaces may face significant challenges when switching to electric vehicles.

4. Managing Old Batteries and E-Waste Lithium-ion batteries degrade after a few years of use and need replacement. Without a professional collection and recycling process, this could become a new source of environmental pollution.

CONCLUSION: THE FUTURE OF GREEN TRANSPORTATION – FEASIBLE BUT NOT EASY

Vietnam is facing a historic opportunity to transform its urban transportation model to be green, clean, and smart. Phasing out gasoline vehicles is an inevitable trend to reduce pollution, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life for urban residents.

However, for this transition to succeed, the following are necessary:

More specific support policies, especially for low-income groups.
Widespread deployment of fast-charging infrastructure.
Public awareness and education campaigns on the long-term benefits of electric vehicles.
A transparent and effective mechanism for battery collection and recycling.

If these challenges are addressed systematically and strategically, the dream of "smokeless cities" could well become a reality within this decade.

Source: Vietnam News, VnExpress, VinFast Auto US

Vietnam on its Journey to "Green" Transportation: Will Electric Motorbikes Replace Gasoline Ones?