This Asian city just banned all gas-powered motorcycles, and soon they will do the same to cars

A city in Vietnam has just banned all gas-powered motorcycles, effective from next year, and says it will extend the ban to cars in the future.

Vietnam is taking serious steps to cut down on emissions. 

And as part of that program, as of July 1 2026, the country will be introducing a ban on all gas-powered motorcycles in the downtown areas of Hanoi. 

But this is just the start, with a planned expansion into other areas and to eventually include gas-powered cars. 

DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie 

How will the ban on gas-powered motorcycles work?

There are an estimated 72 million motorcycles in Vietnam, but the country has set a target for 30 percent of its cars and 20 percent of its motorcycles will be powered by electricity by 2030.

Now, the first of its cities has banned all gas-powered motorcycles in the Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts of Hanoi within the Ring Road 1. 

These areas are known for their heavy traffic and high-pollution levels, and officials hope that by ditching gas-powered two-wheelers, there will be less noise and carbon emissions.

The ban comes into effect on July 1, 2026, and will expand to cover more areas from early 2028. 

Officials have also confirmed that the ban will eventually extend to gas-powered cars as well as motorcycles. 

For now, only Hanoi has banned all gas-powered motorcycles, and only across high-traffic areas, but other major cities, like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, are said to be looking into similar measures that could be rolled out in their cities. 

However, there are some concerns about how such a ban will impact those living in Hanoi. 

One resident told AFP that there aren’t enough public charging points in the city. 

“Why force residents to change while the city’s infrastructure is not yet able to adapt to the new situation?” she asked.

Nguyen Van Thanh, former chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, told VNExpress that the government should build public charging stations at gas stations, parking lots, and in malls that can support multiple EV brands. 

Other critics say the city needs better public transport before such a ban can be introduced.

It’s the first city that has banned all gas-powered motorcycles, but it won’t be the last

Although Hanoi is the first city to ban all gas-powered motorcycles, it’s unlikely that it will be the last. 

Vietcetera reports that officials in Ho Chi Minh City are considering similar proposals to restrict gas-powered vehicles. 

Other cities, including Da Nang, are also reported to be closely watching how things play out in Hanoi ahead of making any similar proposals. 

Click the star icon next to supercarblondie.com in Google Search to stay ahead of the curve on the latest and greatest supercars, hypercars, and ground-breaking technology.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie