Hybrid cars accelerate, pressure on 2030 fuel standards weighs heavily

The hybrid market is booming, with new cars being released in droves and more and more people looking to buy them. Behind this “fever” are many challenges that are not easy to resolve, especially in the context of limited electric vehicle infrastructure and increasingly tight fuel consumption policies.

Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid costs 905 million VND, 85 million VND higher than the gasoline version - Photo: LE HOANG

Hybrid "reigns" with diverse designs and widespread demand

According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), Toyota continues to hold the number 1 position, owning 3/5 best-selling hybrid models on the market.

Notably, the Camry hybrid version recorded sales far exceeding the gasoline version, showing the ongoing shift in consumer habits.

The market also became more exciting thanks to the appearance of 9 new hybrid models in just the first half of the year.

Google Trends data shows a 4% increase in searches related to hybrids. Meanwhile, Younet Media data shows more than 236,000 discussions on the topic of hybrids in Q1-2025.

Among hybrid technologies, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have attracted attention thanks to a series of recently launched Chinese cars, but there are concerns about costs and charging infrastructure.

HEV (gasoline-electric hybrid) is still considered a "safety milestone" thanks to long-standing brands such as Toyota and Honda, while MHEV is a line of gasoline and diesel vehicles with a small electric motor, with fewer models but is popular with customers thanks to its reasonable cost and simple experience.

However, the gap between sales and discussion still exists. Honda HR-V Hybrid and Toyota Innova Cross Hybrid are among the best-selling models but only rank 8-9th in terms of "hotness" on social networks.

According to records, each company has a different business orientation. The most popular is selling ICE cars and HEV or EV, such as Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes, BMW... Some companies only sell ICE cars such as Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Jeep, Volkswagen... Some brands only sell EV such as VinFast , Wuling.

VAMA worries about having to stop selling 96% of gasoline and diesel cars by 2030

Recently, VAMA sent updated information to the press, stating that the Ministry of Construction is seeking opinions on a draft of new regulations, which requires that by 2030 the average fuel consumption (CAFC) of all passenger cars sold in Vietnam must reach 4.83 liters/100km.

According to VAMA, this level is "too strict" and could force 96% of gasoline and diesel cars and 14% of hybrid cars to stop selling because they do not meet the standards. Even the most fuel-efficient models such as Toyota Wigo (4.5-5.5 liters/100km) or Vios (5.08-7.62 liters/100km) do not meet the requirements.

Some hybrid models have an advantage. The Toyota Yaris Cross HEV reaches 3.56-3.8 liters/100km, the Camry HEV 4.11-4.4 liters/100km - within the regulatory range. However, for the entire industry to reach an average of 4.83 liters/100km, manufacturers must increase nearly 10 times the production of electrified vehicles (including hybrids, PHEVs, EVs) in the next 5 years, which VAMA believes is "unfeasible" when charging station infrastructure and consumer habits are still limited.

To reduce pressure, VAMA proposed a softer roadmap of 6.7 liters/100km in 2027; 6.5 liters/100km in 2028; 6.3 liters/100km in 2029 and 6 liters/100km in 2030.

In this scenario, companies would only need to reduce gasoline vehicle production by 34% and increase electric vehicle production by about 366%, which is challenging but much more feasible than the current proposal.

An auto expert said that if the target of 4.83 liters/100km is maintained, companies that only sell internal combustion engines or large-capacity luxury cars will have almost no chance. On the contrary, hybrid and EV brands can quickly rise.

According to this person, controlling fuel consumption is still a global trend to reduce carbon emissions. The problem for Vietnam is not whether to do it or not, but how to have a balanced roadmap between green goals, business capabilities and infrastructure readiness.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xe-hybrid-tang-toc-ap-luc-chuan-nhien-lieu-2030-de-nang-20250828113852048.htm