Despite severe air pollution in Hanoi and the significant benefits of fleet electrification, the process remains poorly understood in developing countries like Vietnam.

Our pilot study aims to address this gap by exploring the barriers to electric two-wheelers (E2W) cosumer adoption and identifying cost-effective strategies to promote their use, through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Hanoi.

Through close collaboration between policymakers and academics, we can empower local communities to lead the transition towards cleaner transportation.

With rapid urbanization and economic growth, Hanoi has been experiencing some of the world’s worst air pollution. Motorcycles are the dominant mode of transport in the city, with nearly 6 million motorcycles for a population of 8.4 million. Given that gasoline motorcycles are a leading cause of air pollution, promoting electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) is likely an effective strategy to reduce both GHG emissions and local pollutants, especially in the short run, without compromising much-needed mobility.

As of now, there have been limited research and policy interventions aimed at fleet electrification in Vietnam. To address this gap, our collaborative project was launched between Stanford University and VinUniversity, pioneering the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the adoption of E2Ws in Hanoi. The findings from this study will provide important insights for the scale-up of such practices and inform policy decisions on reducing emissions from urban transportation while enhancing urban mobility in Vietnam and other developing countries.

Stanford University: Stanford University is a private university located in Silicon Valley, California. Founded in 1885, it is one of the most prestigious universities in the world in terms of academic and research excellence and is ranked #3 in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

VinUniversity: VinUniversity is a private, not-for-profit university established by Vingroup, the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam. Its objective is to create a breakthrough in higher education and achieve global recognition through strong partnerships with renowned universities, institutions, and companies.