Ho Chi Minh City: Considering converting the functions of nearly 100 CNG buses that are "shelved"

Ho Chi Minh City hopes to soon be covered by electric buses. *Photo: M. Tuan*

On the afternoon of October 15, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction informed that after merging 3 localities, the city has 164 routes with 2,342 buses in operation. Of these, 47 are electric bus routes (613 buses) and 18 are CNG-powered bus routes (542 buses), accounting for nearly 50% of the total vehicles using electricity and clean fuel.

According to the roadmap to 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to have its entire bus system run on electricity or green energy, with an expected fleet size of more than 3,300 electric vehicles, including more than 2,200 vehicles serving existing routes and 1,100 vehicles for new routes. This conversion not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also improves air quality, saves energy and enhances the image of a modern, environmentally friendly city.

However, according to the Department of Construction, the city currently has nearly 100 new CNG buses, worth 200 - 300 billion VND, belonging to Saigon Transport Mechanical Corporation (Samco). These buses have been "covered" since they were manufactured in 2018.

The reasons are the lack of CNG fueling stations, oversupply and changes in Samco's business orientation in the context of the city's push to switch to electric vehicles.

In this situation, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction will coordinate with Samco and relevant agencies to review and develop appropriate solutions to avoid wasting public assets and effectively utilize invested resources. Possible options include converting functions, liquidating or converting buses depending on the technical condition and current regulations.

According to Mr. Bui Hoa An - Deputy Director of the Department of Construction of Ho Chi Minh City, it is possible to study the installation of a converter to use hydrogen energy. Although the cost of producing hydrogen is still high, the efficiency is superior to that of gasoline and diesel vehicles.

According to the action plan for implementing the green transport conversion roadmap approved by the Prime Minister , from 2025, all newly invested or replaced buses in major cities must use electricity or green energy. Meanwhile, vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) are only classified as environmentally friendly vehicles, but do not meet the green fuel standards under the new regulations.

Previously, Ho Chi Minh City had encouraged the development of CNG buses because of their low emissions and environmental friendliness compared to diesel vehicles. However, the implementation process has shown that the efficiency has not met expectations due to high investment costs, limited filling station infrastructure and inadequate subsidies. Currently, there are about 500 CNG buses in operation in the city, in addition to nearly 100 new buses remaining at Samco.

Regarding the roadmap for replacing old buses, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the draft Resolution on converting public passenger transport vehicles has calculated the term and contract of each route. Specifically, in 2027, 24 bus routes using diesel and CNG whose contracts have expired (359 vehicles) will switch to electric buses; in 2028, 31 routes whose contracts have expired (647 vehicles) will switch to electric buses; in 2029, 22 routes whose contracts have expired (314 vehicles) will switch to electric buses.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-xem-xet-chuyen-doi-cong-nang-gan-100-xe-buyt-cng-dang-dap-chieu-719733.html