HCMC road map to switch to electric vehicles not feasible, experts warn
Many experts argue that Ho Chi Minh City's proposed road map to control traffic emissions is hasty and difficult to practically implement.
The HCMC city has proposed a road map to transition the city to electric vehicles by 2035, but experts have warned that the plan is not feasible. A trial of low emission zones (LEZ) in the central core and Thu Thiem, where vehicles with emissions below standards cannot enter, is planned to start in July 2027. The LEZ will expand to Ring Road 2 by early 2029, covering approximately 280 sq.km.
However, experts argue that the plan is too aggressive and unrealistic for practical application. They point out that expanding the LEZ would impact over 6.1 million residents and 11.5 million daily trips. The required infrastructure, including battery swapping stations, charging posts, and upgrades to the electrical grid, may struggle to meet the demand.
Moreover, the proposal excludes hybrid vehicles, which require no charging infrastructure and help reduce pollution. Many buildings do not meet the necessary conditions for charging electric vehicles, which could jeopardize the transition. The timeline to convert vehicles is too tight, particularly for low-income individuals reliant on personal gasoline vehicles.
Ung Thi Xuan Huong, president of the HCMC Lawyers Association, expressed concerns about the timeline and the capacity of charging stations and emissions testing systems. Tomoki Yanagawa of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association said the emissions control timeline is too rushed and needs a thorough impact assessment. He warned that mandating 100% electric vehicles by 2035 could disrupt the automotive industry and support jobs.
Experts suggest running small-scale pilots from 2027 to 2030, gradually expanding based on infrastructure and market readiness. They propose treating self-charging hybrid vehicles as a green transition option, allowing enterprises that have invested in thousands of hybrid vehicles to have a transition mechanism. The city's Department of Construction is carefully studying the emissions control plan, and comments will be reviewed to finalize the plan before submitting it to competent authorities.
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