More complete electric vehicle policies in the pipeline

In the push towards greener growth, Vietnam is positioning electric vehicles as a key industrial driver.

- 

Pham Van Quan, deputy director general of the Industrial Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), told VIR's Phuong Thu that the ministry is prioritising policy completion, higher localisation, and broader market adoption.

In the context of Vietnam's push for energy transition and green transport, how is the MoIT steering policies to promote electric vehicle (EV) production and adoption?

From the MoIT's perspective, EVs are not merely a means of transport, but represent a new industrial sector. Therefore, it is essential to ensure synchronised development of infrastructure, legal frameworks, and institutional mechanisms to support the industry's long-term growth.

Based on this approach, the MoIT has been implementing a range of measures, with a focus on building a comprehensive legal corridor, including standards and technical regulations. By the end of 2025, in coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, 18 standards and regulations related to charging equipment, stations, and batteries had been developed. However, the full legal framework must be completed by the second quarter of 2026.

In practice, the deployment of charging infrastructure still faces impediments related to investment procedures, electricity supply, construction, and management. In response, the MoIT has worked with relevant stakeholders to introduce support programmes, including tax incentives and registration fee reductions for EV users.

One of the major challenges facing the EV industry is the relatively low localisation rate and reliance on imported components. What solutions is the Industrial Agency proposing to enhance domestic participation in the supply chain?