Latest news with #fossilfuelban
The Independent
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Hanoi is set to change radically next year. Here's how
Hanoi will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds from its central ring road starting 1 July 2026, with a wider ban including petrol cars planned for January 2028. The directive, issued by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, aims to combat severe air pollution, which contributes to more than 60,000 deaths annually in Vietnam. City authorities are tasked with preparing for the transition, which includes encouraging a shift to electric vehicles, despite current limited adoption. The ban raises concerns among Hanoi residents, particularly those relying on motorcycles for income, who question the city's readiness and public transport infrastructure. Hanoi is the first major Vietnamese city to implement such a ban, aligning with a global trend seen in cities like Amsterdam and numerous European municipalities.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Vietnam to ban petrol and diesel motorcycles from Hanoi to tackle rising air pollution
Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds from central Hanoi from next year in an attempt to curb worsening air pollution. From 1 July 2026, motorbikes running on petrol and diesel will not be allowed inside and along Hanoi's main ring road, which surrounds the city's business and government districts. The directive was issued by prime minister Pham Minh Chinh. City authorities have been told to prepare for the transition and ensure compliance by the deadline. The majority of Hanoi's nearly eight million people rely on two-wheelers for daily transport. The city has some seven million motorcycles and just over a million cars. As incomes rise and more people switch to private vehicles, the air quality is deteriorating. Hanoi regularly ranks among the world's most polluted cities. AQI levels in parts of the city in July range from 115 to 165 – categorised as 'poor' to 'very poor'. The WHO estimates that over 60,000 deaths per year in Vietnam are linked to air pollution. The government plans to encourage a shift to electric vehicles, led by domestic automaker VinFast, which controls some 20 per cent of Vietnam's EV market share. However, adoption of electric two-wheelers remains limited. While air pollution remains a concern, many people are worried about the plan and its timeline. 'It'll affect people who rely on motorbikes to earn a living. How can people just discard their vehicles?' Nguyen Van Hung, 62, a Hanoi motorcycle taxi driver who works with ride-hailing service Grab, told the Associated Press. Some residents say they support cleaner air but question whether the city is ready. 'We need better public transport and more support before such a big change,' Hoang Duy Dung, 32, who works in a central Hanoi office, said. The Vietnamese city's move came barely days after a plan to stop old vehicles from getting fuel in Delhi, India, sparked backlash, prompting its rollback by the local government. Hanoi's next phase of restrictions, due in January 2028, will impose the ban to a wider area and limit petrol-fuelled private cars. In addition to vehicle restrictions, the Vietnamese government said it would upgrade waste treatment infrastructure, implement digital monitoring systems and introduce stricter environmental penalties. Rewards will also be offered to whistleblowers who report pollution breaches. Hanoi is the first major city in Vietnam to set a date for a motorcycle ban. Similar discussions are underway in Ho Chi Minh City, where traffic congestion and smog are growing concerns. Like Hanoi, several major cities around the world are taking steps to restrict private vehicles from their roads. In Amsterdam, petrol and diesel cars, bikes and mopeds will be banned from 2030. Across Europe, over 340 municipalities, including Paris and Milan, have introduced low‑emission zones or traffic restrictions to reclaim public space and improve health.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Vietnam to ban fossil-fuel motorcycles in Hanoi to combat pollution
Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds in the heart of the capital, Hanoi, starting next July, as part of a nationwide effort to curb air pollution, state media reported. The directive issued by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applies to the area inside and along the main ring road that encircles the centre of Hanoi. The local government has been tasked with phasing out the two-wheelers by the deadline. Like the rest of Vietnam, motorcycles are the main mode of transport for most of Hanoi's 8 million residents. The city has nearly 7 million motorcycles and just over a million cars. But as incomes rise and more people switch to private vehicles, air pollution from traffic has become a growing concern. Hanoi is often enveloped in thick smog, ranking among the most polluted cities worldwide. Vietnam also wants to switch from fossil fuel to electric vehicles to cut pollution and tackle climate change. Local EV maker VinFast is leading the shift by holding nearly a fifth of the market share, according to the European Chamber of Commerce. But it still has only a small share of the two-wheeler market. A man rides a motorbike on a street in Hanoi, Vietnam. Some Vietnamese are worried the ban will hit the working class the hardest. Photo: EPA But many are concerned about the unclear plan for phasing out the vehicles.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles from central Hanoi over pollution concerns
HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds in the heart of the capital, Hanoi, starting July 2026, as part of a nationwide effort to curb air pollution, state media reported. The directive issued by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applies to the area inside and along the main ring road that encircles the center of Hanoi. The local government has been tasked with phasing out the two-wheelers by the deadline. Like the rest of Vietnam, motorcycles are the main mode of transport for most of Hanoi's 8 million residents. The city has nearly 7 million motorcycles and just over a million cars. But as incomes rise and more people switch to private vehicles, air pollution from traffic has become a growing concern. Hanoi is often enveloped in thick smog, ranking among the most polluted cities worldwide. Vietnam also wants to switch from fossil-fuel to electric vehicles to cut pollution and tackle climate change. Local EV maker VinFast is leading the shift by holding nearly a fifth of the market share, according to the European Chamber of Commerce. But it still has only a small share of the two-wheeler market. But many are concerned about the unclear plan for phasing out the vehicles. Nguyen Van Hung, 62, has spent three decades driving a motorcycle taxi in Hanoi, now working with Grab, a ride-hailing app widely used across Southeast Asia. He worries the ban will hit the working class hardest. 'It will affect people who rely on motorbikes to earn a living,' he said, pointing to delivery drivers, commuters and ride-hailing services. 'How can people just discard their vehicles?' Others said that the timeline was unrealistic. Hoang Duy Dung, 32, an office clerk who works in the city center, said he supports cleaner air but believes it is too soon. 'We need better public transport and more support before such a big change.' Central Hanoi is home to much of the city's business activity, including offices, government buildings and commercial hubs. A second phase, set to begin in January 2028, will expand the ban to a wider area and include all fossil-fuel two-wheelers, while also restricting some gasoline-powered cars. Other measures include upgrading waste-treatment plants, using digital tools to monitor pollution and introducing stricter penalties for violators. Whistleblowers could be rewarded for reporting environmental breaches. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receive support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Aniruddha Ghosal And Hau Dinh, The Associated Press
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles from central Hanoi over pollution concerns
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam will ban fossil-fuel motorcycles and mopeds in the heart of the capital, Hanoi, starting July 2026, as part of a nationwide effort to curb air pollution, state media reported. The directive issued by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applies to the area inside and along the main ring road that encircles the center of Hanoi. The local government has been tasked with phasing out the two-wheelers by the deadline. Like the rest of Vietnam, motorcycles are the main mode of transport for most of Hanoi's 8 million residents. The city has nearly 7 million motorcycles and just over a million cars. But as incomes rise and more people switch to private vehicles, air pollution from traffic has become a growing concern. Hanoi is often enveloped in thick smog, ranking among the most polluted cities worldwide. Vietnam also wants to switch from fossil-fuel to electric vehicles to cut pollution and tackle climate change. Local EV maker VinFast is leading the shift by holding nearly a fifth of the market share, according to the European Chamber of Commerce. But it still has only a small share of the two-wheeler market. But many are concerned about the unclear plan for phasing out the vehicles. Nguyen Van Hung, 62, has spent three decades driving a motorcycle taxi in Hanoi, now working with Grab, a ride-hailing app widely used across Southeast Asia. He worries the ban will hit the working class hardest. 'It will affect people who rely on motorbikes to earn a living,' he said, pointing to delivery drivers, commuters and ride-hailing services. 'How can people just discard their vehicles?' Others said that the timeline was unrealistic. Hoang Duy Dung, 32, an office clerk who works in the city center, said he supports cleaner air but believes it is too soon. 'We need better public transport and more support before such a big change.' Central Hanoi is home to much of the city's business activity, including offices, government buildings and commercial hubs. A second phase, set to begin in January 2028, will expand the ban to a wider area and include all fossil-fuel two-wheelers, while also restricting some gasoline-powered cars. Other measures include upgrading waste-treatment plants, using digital tools to monitor pollution and introducing stricter penalties for violators. Whistleblowers could be rewarded for reporting environmental breaches. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receive support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
