The Ministry of Transport has issued Circular 53/2024, setting regulation about the classification of road transport vehicles and identification signs for motor vehicles using clean, green and environmentally-friendly energy. It also categorizes transport vehicles based on levels of automation: conventional vehicles and smart vehicles.

Conventional transport vehicles are motor vehicles whose drivers perform all vehicle control tasks, even when they are supported by active safety systems.

Smart transport vehicles are classified according to levels of automation - partial or full automation in vehicle control.

There are five levels of automation. The vehicles with levels 1, 2, and 3 are ‘partially automated’, while those with levels 4 and 5 are ‘fully automated’ in vehicle control, route determination, and handling road traffic situations.

These levels are classified and defined in ISO/SAE PAS 22736:2021 standard -  related to self-driving systems of motor vehicles.

Circular 53/2024 also classifies motor vehicles based on the types of energy they use, including vehicles powered solely run by gasoline or diesel engines; and environmentally friendly vehicles (those using energy or technology that helps reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional vehicles).

Environmentally friendly vehicles include Plug-in electric vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles (PEVs and BEVs), Plug in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (PFCEVs and FCEVs), and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

A PEV is a motor vehicle that uses an electric drive system. PFCEV is a vehicle that solely uses fuel cells as a power source for its propulsion system.

HEVs, according to Circular 53/2024, are those powered by a hybrid electric drive system, including vehicles that use fuel exclusively for charging energy storage devices.

For identification, the circular stipulates that the inspection stamps of motor vehicles using clean, green, and environmentally friendly energy have a green background.

Details of the stamp can be found in the circular regulating the order and procedures for inspection, exemption from first inspection, modification of motor vehicles and specialized motorbikes; and order and procedures for inspection of motorbike exhaust emissions.

There are two EV (electric vehicle) manufacturers in Vietnam. The number of EVs produced, assembled, and imported to Vietnam has rapidly increased in recent years. 

In 2021, only 167 electric cars manufactured, assembled and imported were inspected and certified. However, according to the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, by the end of 2023, there were about 75,000 taxis and service vehicles, including 30,000 pure electric vehicles.

In 2022, the Prime Minister approved Decision 876, approving the Action Program for green energy transition and carbon and methane emission reduction in the transport sector.

N. Huyen