Ho Chi Minh City considers financial support for workers switching to electric vehicles

Under a directive from the chairman of the municipal People's Committee on motorcycle emission inspections, the Department of Finance has been tasked with studying support policies, including subsidies for initial inspection fees and partial repair costs for people facing financial difficulties.

It will also explore trade-in programs, preferential loans and installment payment schemes for residents switching to electric vehicles or other clean-energy vehicles.

The Department of Construction has been assigned to study technical assistance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, and programs to replace high-emission motorcycles, particularly for low-income workers.

The municipal administration has also requested plans for an inspection network suited to the number of motorcycles and population distribution.

It is considering inspections outside regular working hours and on holidays, as well as online registration and advance appointments to improve convenience and prevent overcrowding.

The Department of Culture and Sports will be responsible for public communications on inspection schedules, standards, procedures, fees and support policies.

Authorities have also been asked to disseminate information at industrial parks, export processing zones and high-tech parks to help workers arrange vehicle inspections and maintenance.

Earlier this year, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction unveiled a proposed roadmap to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles in favor of electric and green energy transport, aiming for 100-percent conversion by 2040, while offering financial support to residents and businesses affected by the shift.

Under the proposed roadmap, different timelines would apply to different areas.

The plan includes subsidies to encourage the adoption, prioritizing low-income households and workers.

Near-poor households would receive support covering about 70 percent of motorcycle conversion costs, equivalent to VND14 million (US$547) per vehicle.

Poor households would receive full support of approximately VND20 million ($782) per vehicle.

Ride-hailing and delivery riders would be eligible for registration fee and loan-interest support worth about VND5 million ($195) per vehicle.

In Con Dao, residents would receive full support for motorcycles with around VND20 million ($782) per vehicle.