Green transportation trend gaining traction

Speakers at the Reducing Emissions from Transportation and Green Energy Transition Towards Environmental Protection table. Photo kinhtedothi.vn

HCM CITY Electric and clean-fuel vehicles are becoming more attractive to consumers for their environmental benefits, according to green energy experts in a conference held in Hồ Chí Minh City on Thursday.

Taking place during the annual Vietnam Motor Show, the forum, titled, 'Reducing Emissions from Transportation and Green Energy Transition Towards Environmental Protection' brought together experts and pioneering companies in the green vehicle and renewable energy sectors.

Experts highlighted that electric vehicles are currently the most talked-about green energy vehicles.

Vehicles, which use electricity to partially or fully replace the role of internal combustion engines, fall into two main categories: hybrid and fully electric. Hybrid vehicles combine internal combustion engines with electric motors and different manufacturers vary the power ratio between these components based on vehicle design. The battery of a hybrid vehicle can be charged externally (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles - PHEV) or by recovering the vehicle's kinetic energy.

Fully electric vehicles (EVs), on the other hand, entirely eliminate internal combustion engines, featuring an electric motor and a high-capacity battery located beneath the vehicle's floor. With zero emissions, fully electric vehicles are an ideal solution for reducing air pollution.

This trend of going green in terms of transport is becoming more visible in Việt Nam, as hybrid and fully electric vehicles are increasingly popular across various brands, from mainstream to luxury. In Việt Nam, fully electric vehicles benefit from a special consumption tax of 3 per cent, while PHEVs are taxed at 70 per cent, with no specific tax incentives for regular hybrids. Alongside electrification, using standardised fuels with low pollutant content can also help reduce harmful emissions.

Specialists at the conference noted that Việt Nam’s electric vehicle market is advancing, supported by government policies and a growing demand for eco-friendly transportation.

Despite this progress, the electric vehicle transition faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure, such as charging stations, which are still insufficient for the needs of electric vehicle users.

They agreed that robust investments in infrastructure are essential.

In addition, Euro 5 fuel plays a crucial role in reducing air pollution and improving quality of life. This fuel standard helps decrease toxic emissions from traditional vehicles while aiding the shift towards electric vehicles. It also enhances engine efficiency, lowers fuel consumption and extends a vehicle's lifespan. VNS