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.
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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.