Vietnam's major cities push ahead with electric bus revolution

VNExpress-May 13

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are gradually transforming their public transport networks, replacing aging buses with electric vehicles in a bid to phase out diesel vehicles by 2035. Since launching its first electric route in late 2021, Hanoi has electrified 15 major corridors with 236 zero-emission vehicles. Five routes have been converted to electric operation from the outset of this year alone. In HCMC, 163 electric buses are now winding through neighborhoods. The city has encouraged transport firms to convert existing gasoline and diesel bus routes to electric, striving to transition the entire fleet to green energy by 2030. From 2025 onward, all new routes must be operated with electric or green energy vehicles. Residents have been enthusiastic about electric buses, given improvements in service quality and a convenient payment system.

Le Thi Ngoc Diep, a local in Hanoi’s Long Bien District, said she has returned to public transport after electric buses rolled onto her route. She has been pleased with onboard services and hopes that more electric bus routes will be available so people can use them instead of personal vehicles. Behind the smooth electric rides lies a complex financial puzzle that the two cities are racing to solve. The complete transition carries a price tag of nearly VND48.63 trillion (US$1.88 billion) for Hanoi alone, with nearly VND36 trillion from the city’s budget and the remainder from businesses. The funding will be used to cover vehicle purchases, partial interest payments, and charging station infrastructure.

HCMC estimated funding needs of over VND3.52 trillion for the transport conversion initiative for 2025-2030, including VND2 trillion to subsidize loans for vehicle conversion and about VND1.3 trillion for charging station construction. The city’s current infrastructure for green buses, particularly electricity and CNG supply stations, remains insufficient. The Department of Transport calculated that by 2030, to handle 3,300 electric buses, the southern metropolis will need at least 25 electric charging stations with 269 charging posts. Nguyen Duy Khanh, Director of the Bus Transport Enterprise (Saigon Passenger Transport JSC), said the conversion policy aligns with the government’s net-zero commitment. However, businesses are not ready due to substantial investment costs and the scarcity of bus charging stations across the city. Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/traffic/vietnam-s-major-cities-push-ahead-with-electric-bus-revolution-4885125.html