VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists have rung the alarm bell over the increase in the concentration of benzene, nitrous oxide and other toxic substances in the air in Vietnam, which ranks fourth in the world in the number of motorbikes, the major cause of air pollution in large cities.


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Petrol-run vehicles are causing air pollution



Transport vehicles discharge 6 million tons of CO2 each year, 61,000 tons of CO, 35,000 tons of NO2, 12,000 tons of SO2 and 22,000 tons of CmHn. 

The concentration of harmful substances in air in large urban areas are far higher than the permitted levels, while the SO2 concentration is two to three times higher.

Pham Duc Nghiem, deputy director of the Department for Market Development and Science & Technology Enterprises, said that the number of motorbikes and cars are a huge challenge for Hanoi and HCM City. 

Using high technologies to create vehicles friendly to the environment is the optimal solution to mitigate pollution.

In Hanoi alone, there are 4.7 million motorbikes and 0.7 million cars. The figures are 7 million and 1 million, respectively, in HCM City. 

Meanwhile, public means of transport have been developing slowly, and only satisfies 10 percent of travel demand. 

Transport vehicles discharge 6 million tons of CO2 each year, 61,000 tons of CO, 35,000 tons of NO2, 12,000 tons of SO2 and 22,000 tons of CmHn. The concentration of harmful substances in air in large urban areas are far higher than the permitted levels, while the SO2 concentration is two to three times higher.

The use of biofuel, including E5, only begins in 2018, while the roadmap for applying Euro 4 standards remains unclear.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) in early 2018 reported that the total amount of E5 sold nationwide was some 60-65 percent of petrol sales.

Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam newspaper cited a report as showing that motorbikes from the 2000s generate 416 percent more hydrocarbons, 3,220 percent more nitrogen oxides, and 8,065 percent more carbon monoxide than motor cars made in the same decade

However, scientists believe that under Vietnam’s urban transport conditions, with many small roads and alleys, it is inconvenient to travel in cars. 

The solution for discussion now is not to exclude motorbikes from circulation, but replace petrol motorbikes with electric ones.

Ta Cao Minh, director of the Center for Technology Application & Innovation, said the immediate removal of motorbikes is impossible. 

However, he said electric vehicles will be the future of Vietnam’s urban areas. To replace petrol-run motorbikes with electric ones, Vietnam will have to develop specific policies.

Hoang Duong Tung, former deputy director of the Environment General Directorate, an arm of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE), said that measures used in the Netherlands encouraged electric vehicles.


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