Vietnam Turns to Electric Motorbikes To Combat Severe Pollution

Vietnam is looking to ease severe air pollution in its cities by encouraging the switch to electric motorbikes. Gen-Z riders are leading the charge.

Transcript

00:00Taxi driver Phong Khac drives his electric motorbike through Vietnam's heavily polluted

00:06capital Hanoi, using a mask to avoid the fumes.

00:12Here, gas-powered motorbikes rule the roads.

00:19And the exhaust of the country's 77 million bikes account for two-thirds of the poisonous

00:23smog in Vietnam.

00:28In the face of the unbearable pollution, Phong is among a growing number of Gen Z workers

00:32turning to electric vehicles.

00:47And he is not alone in wanting change.

00:51Government officials have ordered that one quarter of all two-wheelers across the country

00:55be electric by 2030, to battle the air crisis.

01:00And the electric mopeds are now more accessible at a price as little as 500 US dollars.

01:05But there are still issues preventing more people making the switch.

01:09And those who have converted to electric feel long charging times cause a loss in work

01:32and income, with battery recharging taking up to three hours.

01:38But a Vietnamese company has created a quick fix, setting up stations across Hanoi where

01:43riders can instantly swap a depleted battery for a new one.

02:12Despite the efforts to make e-bikes more convenient, many in Vietnam remain hesitant.

02:18This company's founder is urging the government to help drive momentum through incentives,

02:22including waiving registration fees.

02:25But transport experts warn electric vehicles alone won't fix the issue.

02:41To help free up gridlocked streets, residents here are being encouraged to embrace public

02:59transport.

03:04And with these changes, eliminating severe air pollution will take some time.

03:11But as more drivers make the switch to electric, this city is one step closer to cleaner and

03:17clearer streets.

03:20Dolphine Chen and Rosie Grenninger for Taiwan Plus.