Siết chặt quy định khí thải ô tô, giảm ô nhiễm môi trường | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Quy chuẩn kỹ thuật quốc gia đối với khí thải xe ô tô: National technical regulation on exhaust emissions for road motor vehicles.
• Euro standards: European emission standards for vehicles, indicating different levels of emission control.
• Mức khí thải: Emission levels, corresponding to Euro standards.
• Niên hạn sử dụng: Vehicle age limit or lifespan.
• Chuyển đổi xanh trong giao thông: Green transition in transportation, focusing on reducing emissions and promoting sustainable modes.
• Xe cá nhân: Private vehicles.
• Xe kinh doanh vận tải: Commercial transport vehicles.
• Xe tuyến cố định và xe hợp đồng: Fixed-route vehicles and contract vehicles.
• Xe taxi: Taxis.
• Nhiên liệu hóa thạch: Fossil fuels.
• Nhiên liệu xanh: Green fuels (e.g., electricity, hybrid).
• Xe điện: Electric vehicles.
• Xe hybrid: Hybrid vehicles.
• Bảo trì, bảo dưỡng: Maintenance and servicing.
• Trung tâm đăng kiểm: Vehicle registration and inspection centers.

Summary

The transcript discusses the implementation of new national technical regulations on exhaust emissions for road motor vehicles in Vietnam, effective from May 1st of the following year. This regulation aims to address severe air pollution, particularly in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and promote a green transition in transportation.

1. New Emission Standards and Implementation Timeline

The new regulation categorizes vehicle emissions into five levels, corresponding to Euro 1 through Euro 5 standards. The specific requirements are as follows:

• Pre-1999 vehicles: Must meet Level 1 (equivalent to Euro 1).
• Vehicles manufactured from 1999 to the end of 2016: Must meet Level 2 (equivalent to Euro 2).
• Vehicles manufactured from 2017 to the end of 2021: Must meet Level 3 (equivalent to Euro 3).
• Vehicles manufactured from 2022 onwards: Will initially meet Level 4.
• From 2032: These vehicles will be required to meet Level 5 (equivalent to Euro 5).

Specific Regulations for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City:

• From 2025, vehicles operating in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City must meet at least Level 2 emission standards.

2. Inspection Process and Compliance

• Inspection Centers: Exhaust emission checks will be conducted at licensed vehicle registration and inspection centers.
• Certification: Vehicles that meet the standards will receive a certificate or an emission sticker to continue operating.
• Non-compliance: Owners of vehicles that do not meet the standards will be required to have their vehicles maintained and repaired until they comply, before being granted permission to circulate.

3. Impact on Citizens and Transportation Businesses

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Transport Association, provides insights into the regulation's impact.

Impact on Hanoi Residents:

• The regulation is seen as a reasonable step, especially for older vehicles.
• Vehicles with a lifespan of approximately 17 years or more (manufactured from 1999 to 2016) will be subject to Level 2 standards.
• This necessitates that owners of older vehicles focus on maintenance, servicing, and upgrades to ensure their vehicles meet the Level 2 emission requirements.

Necessity of Differentiated Standards:

• Mr. Hung argues that the differentiated emission levels are necessary and fair.
• Older vehicles are assigned lower emission standards (e.g., Level 2 for vehicles up to 17 years old), while newer vehicles (manufactured from 2022 onwards) are expected to meet higher standards (Level 4 and 5, equivalent to Euro 4 and Euro 5). This creates a tiered system based on vehicle age and technological advancement.

Impact on Transportation Businesses and Taxi Drivers:

• The regulation impacts two main groups: private vehicle owners and commercial transport operators.
• Fixed-route and contract vehicles: These typically fall under Level 2 standards and are often used for extended periods without strict age limits.
• Taxis: Taxis are subject to a stricter 12-year usage limit. Furthermore, Hanoi has proposed a plan for taxis to transition from fossil fuels to green fuels (electric or hybrid) by 2030.
• Readiness of Businesses: Transport businesses are generally prepared due to existing management systems that require regular maintenance and servicing before vehicles leave the garage. The regulation is seen as an incentive to improve operations and contribute to pollution reduction in the capital.

4. Measures for Businesses to Meet Emission Standards

• Legal Framework: Existing legal frameworks are stringent for commercial transport operators, especially taxis.
• Required Infrastructure: Businesses are mandated to have a traffic safety monitoring department, their own repair workshops, and pre-operation vehicle checks.
• Maintenance and Servicing: Businesses already have robust maintenance and servicing protocols.
• Challenges:
  • Increased Pressure for Upgrades: The regulation will put significant pressure on businesses to upgrade their fleets.
  • Investment Costs: Investing in new vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, which can cost upwards of 400-500 million VND, presents a major financial challenge, especially in a declining market.
  • Focus on Existing Fleets: For fixed-route and contract vehicle businesses, the immediate focus will be on investing in thorough repairs, maintenance, and upgrades of their current vehicles to ensure they meet the required quality standards.

5. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The new emission standards represent a significant step towards reducing air pollution and promoting green transportation in Vietnam, particularly in urban centers. While the regulation aims for fairness and environmental improvement, it poses considerable challenges for vehicle owners and commercial transport businesses, especially regarding the cost of upgrading or replacing older vehicles. Businesses are urged to proactively prepare by investing in maintenance, repairs, and exploring greener vehicle options to comply with the evolving regulations and contribute to a cleaner environment.