VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s plan to apply Euro 4 emission standard for vehicles by early 2017 may fail if there is no clear requirement on the quality of fuel, experts have said. 

From early 2017, cars and three-wheel vehicles in Vietnam must meet the Euro 4 emission standard as stipulated by a government’s decision. However, analysts doubt the plan can be implemented.

A Mercedes-Benz salesman in Hai Phong said the application of the Euro 4 emission standard will meet difficulties because fuel products cannot meet the Euro 2 emission standard, let alone Euro 4.

“Many petrol distributors commit trade fraud by mixing petrol with water. And even if they don't, I still doubt that A92 and A95 petrol meet the Euro 2 standard,” he said.

“If the fuel cannot meet Euro 2 standard, vehicles meeting Euro 4 standards won’t help environmental protection,” he said.

He went on to say that it is unfair to request people to run Euro 4 emission standard vehicles if the fuel quality is low. Incompatible fuel will harm the engine of Euro 4 emission standard vehicles.

“Euro 4 emission standard vehicle users are advised to use suitable fuel. A92 or A95 petrol meeting Euro 2 standard will be unable to ensure the maximum capacity, and the engine won’t have the expected durability,” he said.

Vietnam’s plan to apply Euro 4 emission standard for vehicles by early 2017 may fail if there is no clear requirement on the quality of fuel.

Ngoc, a worker at Tay Ford Sai Gon Company, said that the lack of transparency in the quality management at filling stations will hinder efforts to protect the environment.

Though Vietnam has set standards for vehicles, it has not set standards for fuel.

Ngoc believes that Euro 4 emission-standard vehicles could run with fuel meeting Euro 2 standards. However, fuel in Vietnam cannot meet the Euro 2 standard.
 

“As far as I know, Euro 4 vehicles still run with Euro 2 fuel and there is no big problem. But does this fuel meet standards?" he said, adding that no one knows the real quality of the fuel distributed in Vietnam.

State management agencies have been asked to delay the implementation of the Euro 4 standard because the fuel products available in the market still cannot meet requirements. However, analysts said that if delaying the plan, fuel quality will never  improve.

Thinh, a worker at a Mercedes showroom in Tan Phu district, HCM City, said he does not think the the Euro 4 standard application plan won’t be implemented until 2020.

The Japan Business Association in Vietnam (JBAV) has asked the government to eliminate the fuel that cannot meet the Euro 4 standard from the market.

Mai Nam