The Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed an emissions reduction scheme where residents in the capital will be financially supported to get rid of dated motorbikes no longer meeting emissions standards.

The program is expected to be conducted by the department in collaboration with the Automobile and Motorcycle Association Vietnam (AMAV).

According to the proposal, eight motorbike garages in Hanoi will be selected to be installed with equipment to measure motorbikes’ emissions in the six districts of Hoan Kiem, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Dong and Thanh Xuan.

People who bring motorbikes to these centers to check their emissions will be granted a gift valued at VND300,000 (US$13).

At the same time, 30 motorbike retailers across the capital city will be appointed as places for people to come and exchange motorbikes that were manufactured before 2002.

Each person who wishes to exchange their outdated motorbike for a newer model at these points will enjoy a discount of VND2-4 million ($86-172) on their purchase.

If approved by the municipal People’s Committee, the program will be piloted as early as this month.

There are currently about 5.7 million motorbikes in Hanoi, including approximately 2.5 million registered before 2000, according to the Hanoi environment department’s deputy director Le Tuan Dinh.

The lack of control over emissions from motorbikes, particularly old ones, has damaged the environment and worsened air pollution in the capital city, he added.

Meanwhile, the majority of motorbike riders are not aware of the importance of regular motorcycle inspection and maintenance as well as its impact on the air quality and the community’s health, according to the municipal environment department.

The department thus expects that the proposed program will not only help to increase vehicle longevity but also indirectly contribute to reducing air pollution in the capital.

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