HCMC – HCMC plans to expand its transition to green energy vehicles to include taxis, ride-hailing motorcycles, private cars, and public vehicles, and will tighten emissions controls in the downtown area from 2026.
The HCMC Department of Construction has reported to the Ministry of Construction on the implementation of the prime minister’s Directive 20/2025 on urgent measures to reduce pollution. It said the city’s green transition plan for 2025–2050 is based on an assessment of current traffic and emissions, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
The plan will be carried out in two phases. The first phase aims to convert the entire bus fleet to electric or alternative-energy vehicles by 2030. The second phase will cover taxis, ride-hailing vehicles, private cars, and public service vehicles. Low-emission zones are planned for the city center, the coastal commune of Can Gio, and Con Dao Special Zone, with proposals to be submitted to the HCMC People’s Council in the first quarter of 2026.
From 2026, vehicles that do not meet emissions standards will be restricted from low-emission zones. Between 2027 and 2030, all motorcycles will undergo emissions inspections, and substandard vehicles will face further restrictions, gradually expanding to suburban areas. By 2031, the low-emission zone will cover Beltway No. 1, with stricter standards applied from 2032.
The city is also developing infrastructure to support the transition, including public charging stations, battery swap systems, and integrated e-ticketing for buses and metro lines. Vehicle inspection stations will be required to enforce environmental standards.
HCMC currently has 1.4 million cars and 11.3 million motorcycles. The commuter bus network has 176 routes with 2,386 buses, including 627 electric buses and 451 CNG buses. There are 18,613 taxis, of which 13,124 are electric. Ride-hailing motorcycles total 88,742, with about 25,000 electric bikes.
The figures show a growing adoption of green vehicles in the city, with transport operators investing in electric and alternative-energy options to reduce emissions and noise.
