VinFast Evo electric scooter. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast continues its aggressive foray into the Philippine mobility market with the launch of three new electric motorcycles featuring battery-swapping tech.
After carving out a big chunk of the BEV car market, VinFast said it intends to make an equally strong presence in the two-wheeled arena, which is still overwhelmingly dominated by internal combustion engine machines.
"At VinFast, we believe the future of motorcycles will not only be greener, it will also be practical, affordable, and acceptable for everyone," said Vo Thi Cam Tu, VinFast Managing Director for E-Scooters Overseas Market.
VinFast introduced its Evo, Feliz II, and Viper models on Friday to a packed audience of motoring and tech journalists and KOLs in Makati.
The Evo is the most affordable of the VinFast bikes, with a sticker of just P62,900 for two batteries with a battery subscription. It has a power output of 5.2 kilowatts (around 6.97 HP) has around 150 kilometers of range, and a top speed of 80 kph. It can also go from zero to 50kph in under six seconds, according to VinFast. Buyers who want to purchase the battery outright, meanwhile will have to shell out P88,300.
From L-R, the VinFast Evo, Viper and Feliz II electric scooters. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
The Feliz II is a step up from the Evo, costing P64,900 with a battery subscription. It also outputs 5.2 kilowatts and has a higher max speed of 90 kph. That higher top speed however, means it has a slightly shorter maximum range of 145 kilometers per full charge. Like the Evo, it can also accelerate from zero to 50 kph in under six seconds. If you want to buy the battery outright, the cost goes up to P90,300.
While the Evo and Feliz evoke classic designs, with the Evo being a deadringer for a beloved Italian brand, the Viper has the sportier look of modern Japanese scooters. The Viper has the same power and speed specs of the Feliz, but in a more aggressive and sportier look. It’s also the most expensive of the three, with the battery subscription option costing P73,900 and outright battery purchase pushing the sticker to P99,300.
The VinFast Evo electric scooter has a classic styling reminiscent of a beloved Italian brand. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
I tried the Evo during the launch, and despite the very short track available to testers, I found it quite smooth and comfortable. It also has a ‘reverse’ feature that’s designed to help with getting out of tight parking spots. Hopefully, we will get to test a unit for a week or two to get a much better feel of what’s it like to ride a VinFast scooter along Metro Manila’s streets and traffic.
Battery swapping? Battery subscription
Battery-swapping tech is not really new in the Philippines. Gogoro Philippines, which is part of the Globe group of companies, introduced the tech in 2023. The concept was groundbreaking at the time—just pull out your drained batteries and swap them for fully charged ones. It meant that electric motorcycles could get fully charged batteries as fast as, or even faster than normal motorcycles could gas up.
VinFast battery swapping cabinet. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
But Gogoro showrooms have since closed, and Globe has scaled back its investment in the venture.
VinFast, however, is confident that it can successfully implement this tech in the same way that it was able to do this in its home country of Vietnam.
“For VinFast, as you can see, what we can offer here is truly a commitment. And I think the failure of infrastructure during that time is the word commitment. And as you can see in Vietnam and Indonesia, there are thousands of battery swapping stations already,” said VinFast E-Scooter Philippines CEO Nino Fabros in an interview with ABS-CBN.
Fabros said that while there are only a few battery swapping stations scattered across the Philippines right now, VinFast is planning to put up to 30,000 swapping stations in the coming years.
Personally, the battery subscription offer is a very good deal because VinFast is offering free battery swaps for one year for buyers who avail of a subscription on or before September 30, and up to 20 swaps per battery per month. If you get the Evo, which has a 150km range, multiply that by 20 swaps, and you get 3000 kms of riding for free.
You don’t get that if you buy the battery outright. You will have to charge the battery at home using the portable charger included with the scooter.
The models are also covered by a 4+2-year or 60,000+12,000-km warranty, whichever comes first, providing customers with greater benefits, lower operating costs, and anxiety about this new EV player.