According to the draft, permanent or long-term residents (over two years) in Hanoi who own gasoline-powered motorbikes will be eligible for 20% of the cost of a new electric vehicle (valued at 10 million VND or more), capped at 5 million VND (around $200).

Poor households will receive 100% support up to 20 million VND (approximately $800), while near-poor households will receive 80% support, capped at 15 million VND (about $600). Each individual will be eligible for support on only one vehicle, from the resolution’s effective date until January 1, 2031.

This proposal marks an increase over the 3 million VND cap proposed in July by the Department of Construction, and aligns with Ho Chi Minh City’s upcoming program (also capped at 5 million VND, with 20 million VND for poor households and 16 million for near-poor).

Additionally, Hanoi plans to subsidize 50% of vehicle registration and plate fees for clean-energy motorbikes. For poor and near-poor households, this will be fully covered. The city will also support 30% of interest on 12-month installment loans for electric bike purchases from partnered banks.

Taxi and bus companies switching to green vehicles will have their registration fees fully waived if they retain their assigned license plates. Green rental vehicle businesses will be exempt from road and pavement usage fees for up to five years when used for parking and pickup points.

To discourage personal vehicle use, the city will waive fares for bus rapid transit and metro lines for certain groups: people with meritorious service, the disabled, elderly, children under 6, poor households, students, and industrial park workers.

Roadmap to low-emission zones in Hanoi

Hanoi’s low-emission zone plan will roll out in four phases:

From July 1, 2026: pilot low-emission zones in nine wards within Ring Road 1.

From January 1, 2028: expand to all of Ring Road 1 and some wards in Ring Road 2 (14 wards).

From January 1, 2030: expand to Ring Road 3 (36 wards and communes).

From 2031 onward: apply in areas with high pollution, congestion, or strict protection status.

In these areas, gasoline-powered motorbikes will be banned during specific times or locations. App-based ride-hailing services will also be barred from using gas-powered bikes. The city will gradually restrict, then ban, cars that don’t meet Euro 4 emission standards. Commercial fuel-powered trucks must switch to clean energy by 2030, while all taxis must use environmentally friendly vehicles starting July 1, 2026.

By January 1, 2035, Hanoi will define specific areas and times for restricting certain types of vehicles, based on real-world conditions.

According to the draft, parking lots in apartment buildings, commercial centers, and hospitals within Ring Road 3 must convert at least 15% of spaces to clean energy charging stations by 2030. New developments will be required to allocate at least 30%.

Road infrastructure (bridges, roads, bus stations, rest stops, etc.) must also meet this standard. Businesses investing in clean energy stations will receive 30% interest support for up to five years, plus 50% land clearance cost support and five years of free land rent. These projects will be exempt from preliminary investment procedures and can begin immediately.

Strict transition for transport vehicles

The policy outlines clear rules for fossil-fuel-powered road transport vehicles used for commercial purposes in Hanoi:

For motorbikes and scooters used in ride-hailing platforms: After July 1, 2026, app companies must stop onboarding drivers using gasoline-powered vehicles. The green transition timeline mandates: 30% of such vehicles must be electric or clean energy by July 1, 2026; 70% by January 1, 2028; and 100% by January 1, 2030.

For taxis and passenger cars with up to 8 seats (excluding the driver) in commercial operation: From July 1, 2026, all new or replacement vehicles must run on clean energy. The required fleet conversion rate is 50% by January 1, 2028 and 100% by January 1, 2030.

The city is also considering allowing the conversion of gasoline-powered motorbikes into electric bikes, aiming to curb the surge of new personal vehicles, reduce investment burdens on citizens, and cut emissions.

Hoang Hiep