Hanoi to pilot motorbike exchange project

Hanoi is planning to support local people to exchange poor quality motorbikes that are over 18 years old for new models in an attempt to reduce air pollution.

Hanoi has millions of old motorbikes.

The project was drafted by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and proposed to the city People's Committee. Eight emissions measuring stations and 30 motorbike exchange stations in Hoan Kiem, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Thanh Xuan and Ha Dong will be selected for the project.

The citizens can bring their motorbikes to the emission measuring stations. People who bring their motorbikes in to check for exhaust emission will be given VND300,000 (USD13) support. If their motorbikes do not meet standards, they will be given a VND2m to VND4m support per case by the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers to purchase a new bike.

The project will last for three months from September to December. It is estimated that 5,000 motorbikes will be checked for exhaust emissions.

Mai Trong Thai from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said Hanoi had over 5.7 million motorbikes. Of this 2.5 million are old bikes which were registered before 2000. There are over 730,000 cars and many vehicles from other provinces and cities that regularly join the city's traffic flow.

Emission from these vehicles has badly affected the air quality and threatened public health. That's why the department submitted the project to the Hanoi People's Committee on August 11.

According to Thai, the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers will pay for the equipment and installation fees. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment will launch promotion programmes and public awareness-raising programmes. The fund will come from the state budget which is allocated for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation activities and promotions to the citizens.

However, this policy requires a huge amount of money so the department is still gathering opinions from other departments and localities authorities to find the most feasible solution.