No gas Motor bikes- what will it mean?

For me, living in Saigon my real only dislike is the pollution lately. I have no idea what percentage is caused by motorbikes but I would like some breathable air again. Tet has been the only somewhat normal air quality in the 60s but before it was consistently over 150 AQI. 

...I have no idea what percentage is caused by motorbikes but I would like some breathable air again.... - @jrharvey

I recall the gov't had estimated that exhaust emissions from gas powered vehicles (bikes, cars, trucks...combined) in Hanoi to be only about 15% of measured air pollution. I'm thinking there'd be similar readings in Saigon.

...I have no idea what percentage is caused by motorbikes but I would like some breathable air again.... - @jrharvey
I recall the gov't had estimated that exhaust emissions from gas powered vehicles (bikes, cars, trucks...combined) in Hanoi to be only about 15% of measured air pollution. I'm thinking there'd be similar readings in Saigon. - @Aidan in HCMC

Dr Google say: PM2.5 Contribution: Motorbikes generate 60% of the PM2.5 produced by the road transport sector.

A major factor is that roughly 70% of the nearly 8 million motorbikes in Saigon are more than 10 years old and lack modern emission control systems.

They are responsible for an overwhelming 90% to 98% of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and approximately 69% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from all motor vehicles in the city.

...I have no idea what percentage is caused by motorbikes but I would like some breathable air again.... - @jrharvey

I recall the gov't had estimated that exhaust emissions from gas powered vehicles (bikes, cars, trucks...combined) in Hanoi to be only about 15% of measured air pollution. I'm thinking there'd be similar readings in Saigon. - @Aidan in HCMC

Dr Google say: PM2.5 Contribution: Motorbikes generate 60% of the PM2.5 produced by the road transport sector.

I read this as motorbikes contributing 60%, and cars/trucks/buses 40% of PM2.5 from road transport vehicles. I don't find that surprising when we consider how many more bikes there are compared to other vehicles.

What I recall reading was that that 60%/40% contribution constitutes only 15% of the total PM2.5 count.

Again, and if I recall correctly, the majority of air pollution, i.e. 85% (in Hanoi), was from industry, controlled farm burns, pollution blown in from across borders, as well as other sources.

A major factor is that roughly 70% of the nearly 8 million motorbikes in Saigon are more than 10 years old and lack modern emission control systems.They are responsible for an overwhelming 90% to 98% of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and approximately 69% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from all motor vehicles in the city. - @SimCityAT

I'll see if I can find the article that the "15% of total PM2.5 count" was in, but I've got my doubts I'll find it.

Wasn't able to find the article I had referenced, but I did find this in one of our local e-rags.

Hanoi's smog puzzle: Vehicle emissions contribute just 15%, officials say

Despite popular belief, vehicle emissions are not the main culprit behind Hanoi's worsening air quality, making up just 15% of total pollution, according to officials, who however say cutting emissions remains urgent.  (link to source)

If vehicle emissions constitute just 15% of Hanoi's air pollution, that means only 9% of that pollution can be attributed to motorbikes (assuming the previously mentioned 60/40% spilt of bikes-to-cars is correct). A total outright ban on gas powered bikes, and the effect it will have on people who depend on their bikes, seems to me to be rather draconian. This push to ban gas powered bikes seems to be more ideologically driven than anything.

9% is still a big drop, but the numbers in the linked piece only apply to Hanoi.

The article also mentions traffic dust, something a switch from cars to bikes will reduce.

The estate was very quiet when I popped out last night and the only vehicles I saw were electric bikes. The silence was golden.

Noise is a form of pollution that is often left unconsidered in arguments about EVs, but noise stress is a big deal for those who live in cities.

Wasn't able to find the article I had referenced, but I did find this in one of our local e-rags.
Hanoi's smog puzzle: Vehicle emissions contribute just 15%, officials say
Despite popular belief, vehicle emissions are not the main culprit behind Hanoi's worsening air quality, making up just 15% of total pollution, according to officials, who however say cutting emissions remains urgent. (link to source)

If vehicle emissions constitute just 15% of Hanoi's air pollution, that means only 9% of that pollution can be attributed to motorbikes (assuming the previously mentioned 60/40% spilt of bikes-to-cars is correct). A total outright ban on gas powered bikes, and the effect it will have on people who depend on their bikes, seems to me to be rather draconian. This push to ban gas powered bikes seems to be more ideologically driven than anything. - @Aidan in HCMC

When I'm sitting on a two-wheeled vehicle in stopped traffic in a street-canyon between tall buildings and there's little to no wind, the pollution I'm breathing is very likely the exhaust of the nearby vehicles. Doesn't mean that other sources aren't coming into the city, just that the ´very local´ source is the dominant source. True?

If Gas bikes are banned in major cities it would seem there would be a price drop in the second hand bike market.
It seems like an unworkable venture but.... - @Dannyroc3

There will be issues, but they will melt away if the government does their job well.

Home charging hardly moves the electricity meter when I charge my pair of bikes, there are no high fuel prices to look at, no worries about oil wars, and ... what servicing?

Mine are over a year old now.

Repairs were a few bits that needed greasing , a bit of WD 40 in the ignition switch, and some switch cleaner in other switches. I can't calculate the cost because it's so small.

Charging is expensive for us at around 3 USD per year per bike - yes, THREE and YEAR.

Our bikes use lead/acid batteries that give around 40km per charge, and that lasts  a week with ease.

loss of value for old bikes will be a short term concern for most, but they will forget that when their fuel bill drops to "Who cares?" and they save more than they lost ... then the savings continue, but without any more loss.

Any environmental gains are a bonus.

Doesn't mean that other sources aren't coming into the city, just that the ´very local´ source is the dominant source. True?
- @Lennerd

Likely, and I forgot about the lack of smell that a switch to electric bikes will bring.

As readers may have guessed, personal experience has left me very pro electric bikes.

Likely, and I forgot about the lack of smell that a switch to electric bikes will bring.

Due to your wise decision to continue with lead-acid batteries. I've read that lithium batteries will develop a distinctive smell of their own should thermal runaway  occur. 😜

As readers may have guessed, personal experience has left me very pro electric bikes. - @Fred

Looks like the Chinese manufacturer BYD has put to bed any concerns of range anxiety.

"China’s BYD debuts electric SUV with up to 590-mile range capability, 130.15 kWh battery"

WOW! 590 miles = ~950 kms !

source: InterestingEngineering.com

...noise stressis a big deal for those who live in cities. - @Fred

Agreed. The gov't should mandate headphones at home and commercial karaoke events.

Now there's a mandate I could certainly get behind.

Likely, and I forgot about the lack of smell that a switch to electric bikes will bring.
Due to your wise decision to continue with lead-acid batteries. I've read that lithium batteries will develop a distinctive smell of their own should thermal runaway occur. 😜
As readers may have guessed, personal experience has left me very pro electric bikes. - @Fred
Looks like the Chinese manufacturer BYD has put to bed any concerns of range anxiety.
"China’s BYD debuts electric SUV with up to 590-mile range capability, 130.15 kWh battery"
WOW! 590 miles = ~950 kms !
source: InterestingEngineering.com - @Aidan in HCMC

https://carnewschina.com/2026/04/09/byd … xperience/

Then add 9 minutes charging whilst munching on a chicken wing.

Likely, and I forgot about the lack of smell that a switch to electric bikes will bring.
Due to your wise decision to continue with lead-acid batteries. I've read that lithium batteries will develop a distinctive smell of their own should thermal runaway occur. 😜
As readers may have guessed, personal experience has left me very pro electric bikes. - @Fred
Looks like the Chinese manufacturer BYD has put to bed any concerns of range anxiety.
"China’s BYD debuts electric SUV with up to 590-mile range capability, 130.15 kWh battery"
WOW! 590 miles = ~950 kms !
source: InterestingEngineering.com - @Aidan in HCMC
https://carnewschina.com/2026/04/09/byd … xperience/
Then add 9 minutes charging whilst munching on a chicken wing. - @Fred

No disrespect intended: I can eat about 8 chicken wings in 9 minutes. It's a problem! 🤣

Then add 9 minutes charging whilst munching on a chicken wing. - @Fred
No disrespect intended: I can eat about 8 chicken wings in 9 minutes. It's a problem! 🤣
- @Lennerd

You'll need a more powerful bike