Hanoi is planning to offer a VND5 million (US$190) incentive for owners of gasoline motorbikes who replace them with electric models.
The People’s Committee’s plan, which will be voted on at a city council meeting this week, grants the subsidies to permanent residents and those who have lived in the city for at least two years.
When they buy an electric motorbike costing VND10 million (US$379) or more, they will get a 20% subsidy not exceeding VND5 million.
 |
|
Motorbike riders seen in Hanoi, Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy |
For poor and near-poor people, the subsidies will go up to VND20 million and VND15 million.
Every person will be eligible for subsidy for one vehicle until Jan. 1, 2031.
The amounts are significantly higher than a suggestion made by the Department of Construction in July, which caps the amount at VND3 million for most residents.
The city also plans to subsidize registration and number plate fees for people switching to clean-energy motorbikes by 50%.
For those who buy on installment plans, there will be a 30% subsidy on loan interest for 12 months.
Transport businesses operating buses and taxis will receive a full subsidy on all fees when they make the switch.
The city also plans to order apartment buildings, commercial buildings, hospitals, and other public facilities to transition at least 15% of their parking slots to charging stations for electric vehicles. Newly-built facilities must allocate at least 30%.
Hanoi will ban gas-powered motorbikes from downtown streets from July 2026, and most fossil fuel vehicles from 2030.
It now has around 6.9 million motorbikes. Its government has said that gasoline-powered motorbikes account for around 60% of the city’s pollution.
