HCMC – HCMC is planning a complete transition of its public transport fleet to green energy by 2030, with all buses to be converted to electric vehicles by 2026.
At a seminar on July 30, hosted by the Department of Transport, Tran Quang Lam, the department’s director, discussed the city’s proposal to use National Assembly Resolution 98 as a legal basis to implement local policies for transitioning from fossil fuels to green energy.
The plan includes two phases. Phase one, running until September 2024, will focus on developing mechanisms for converting public buses to electric or compressed natural gas (CNG). Phase two, starting after 2025, will expand the conversion to all vehicles, including private cars and motorbikes. This phase will involve specific regional plans and clear control processes.
The shift to electric buses could reduce CO2 emissions by 48.93%, Nghia said.
Pham Xuan Mai from HCMC University of Technology added that CNG buses are being phased out globally in favor of electric buses due to technological advancements and supportive policies. He emphasized the need for state investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, including charging stations powered by solar energy.
Data from the HCMC Management Centre of Public Transport indicated that the city currently operates 2,209 buses, with 24.7% being electric or CNG. By 2030, the city plans to have 1,901 buses across 108 routes, all using green energy.