{"id":9572,"date":"2021-10-28T18:40:53","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T10:40:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=9572"},"modified":"2021-10-28T18:49:34","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T10:49:34","slug":"vinfast-cars-electric-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/vinfast-cars-electric-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric Vehicles In Vietnam: Why VinFast Cars May Be The Solution To Air Pollution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electric vehicles in Vietnam<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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In Vietnam, the world\u2019s 20th-most polluted country according to <\/span>IQAir<\/span><\/a><\/em>, <\/span>more campaigns are being run to raise awareness about global warming and sustainability, <\/span>while more are moving to the suburbs for greener space and less polluted air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as long as millions of us are still hitting the roads with diesel vehicles, nothing\u2019s going to change. Meanwhile, <\/span>zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be the most viable solution to tackle air pollution<\/strong> and make commuting on the streets more efficient.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that in mind, VinFast, a homegrown automaker, has set to the task of manufacturing EVs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We\u2019re becoming more aware of climate change<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>Matthew Nolan<\/span><\/em>
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Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City\u2019s air quality is constantly at alarming levels, according to a study by VUSTA reported by <\/span>Thanh Ni\u00ean<\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

For this reason, pressure has been mounting on local lawmakers to improve urban air quality, such as planting more trees and having us reduce the use of gas-powered devices and coal stoves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the most specific actions to reduce air pollution, recommended by experts as well as governments all over the world, is to opt for EVs over fossil-fuel vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, US President Joe Biden, according to <\/span>CNBC<\/span><\/a><\/em>, has been urging automakers to push the production and sales of EVs by 2030. Singapore\u2019s government, according to<\/span> Channel NewsAsia<\/span><\/a><\/em>, has also introduced incentives to encourage the use of zero-emission cars, such as reducing the additional registration fee for EV buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

This shows that world leaders are seeing how EVs can keep our air clean and improve life quality in the long run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Vietnam, however, things are not that simple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why most of us in Vietnam still ride fuel-powered scooters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>Q.U.I<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Compared to most countries in the region, Vietnam is home to more scooters, most of which run on fuel, than cars. A study by<\/span> Vietnamnet<\/span> <\/a><\/em>in 2015 indicates that Vietnam is home to nearly 43 million scooters, and 85% of us use scooters as our main means of daily commute transportation, according to <\/span>Cafebiz<\/span><\/a><\/em>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many reasons why you\u2019re seeing more scooters than cars in Vietnam. First of all, our government imposes relatively high tariffs on imported cars <\/span>with an aim to protect our local car makers, if any.<\/span><\/p>\n

In an example given by <\/span>Thanh Ni\u00ean<\/span><\/a><\/em>, a 2.0-2.5 liter car made in Indonesia that costs USD12,480, when imported into Vietnam, will usually be subject to a 50% excise duty fee, 10% value-added tax, and 10% sales expenses. <\/span>Therefore, a buyer has to pay at least USD22,410 for an imported car in any local gallery.<\/span> For cars imported from the European Union, the import duties taxed on them amount to 70% of their original prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secondly, our infrastructure has yet to be developed to such a point where we can accommodate more cars in the inner city without having traffic jams. For example, finding a parking lot in the Hanoi or Saigon city center during rush hour is forever a daunting task.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now you know why most Vietnamese use scooters instead of cars, let alone electric cars.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite tons of hurdles that we have to face on our journey of making our streets clearer with zero-emission vehicles, there\u2019s still progress that we should watch out for.<\/span><\/p>\n

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EVs are on the rise in Vietnam, thanks to VinFast<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage adapted from: <\/span><\/em>VinFast Vietnam<\/span><\/em>
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For the past couple of years, electric scooters and bikes have been introduced into Vietnam and gained popularity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2018, <\/span>VinFast<\/b>, a local conglomerate, released its first batch of electric scooters. Within 2 years, the automaker introduced 6 different types of electric scooters, ranging from low-cost to high-end models, which have been well-received among local consumers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Priding itself on its manufacturing plant in Haiphong, large well-trained Vietnamese workforce, and strong R&D teams from all over the world, VinFast is keen to build made-in-Vietnam electric cars for the right price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>VinFast Vietnam<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In January 2021, VinFast launched its first electric car model – the <\/span>VF e34<\/b>. The price for this car is <\/span>VND690 million (~USD30,318),<\/b> with a 10-year warranty. <\/span>With a compact, high body, the VF e34 has a 110 kW engine capacity and is equipped with a 42 kWh battery, meaning that its driver can drive 300KM after a single charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, the car is furnished with comfortable seats as well as advanced features that you can find in conventional cars, such as remote software updates and a guide to the nearest charging stations. Drivers can expect a battery subscription service for a monthly fee of VND1.45 million (~USD63.71).<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>VinFast Vietnam<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In case you\u2019re wondering how electric cars are received in a market that\u2019s been long dominated by conventional scooters, here\u2019s some encouraging information. In Quarter 1 of this year, VinFast sold <\/span>45,000 electric cars on pre-order<\/b> – an impressive achievement in Vietnam\u2019s automotive market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>VinFast Vietnam<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This means that more people are <\/span>becoming receptive to the idea of driving EVs manufactured by a home-grown manufacturer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aware of local buyers\u2019<\/span> fear <\/span>about the duration of EV batteries, and VinFast is going the extra mile to ensure that it’s got everything thought out. According to <\/span>VOV<\/span><\/a><\/em>, VinFast is partnering with top battery manufacturers in the world such as StoreDot, Prologium, and Gotion High to produce quality and competitive batteries that can be charged in 5 minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span>Autobikes<\/span><\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

To give EV drivers a more convenient driving experience, <\/span>VinFast is planning to build 2,000 charging destinations across the country within this year, <\/span>Autobikes<\/span><\/a><\/em> reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though the number of EVs sold in Vietnam’s big cities may still pale in comparison to the fossil-fueled counterparts in the near future, things will change for the better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Vietnam\u2019s government has announced its aim to<\/span> ban all scooters in the inner city by 2030<\/b>, reported by <\/span>Lao \u0110\u1ed9ng<\/span><\/a><\/em>. Plus, our metro construction keeps being delayed and buses alone cannot accommodate the traveling demands of the general public.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Homegrown electric vehicles are wise investments for every family<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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As the world grapples with climate change, it\u2019s heartening to see a homegrown business go to great lengths to tackle the issue by building and popularizing EVs. Also, the impressive sales volume of EVs in t<\/span>he domestic market shows how we are becoming more aware of the importance of green vehicles and receptive to locally made products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, we can expect to see better-quality cars being produced and more people choosing EVs over traditional vehicles. Plus, there\u2019s no reason why we shouldn\u2019t support homegrown vehicles, which are cheaper as they come without any import tariffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, if the Vietnam government is on track to banning 2-wheeled vehicles in the next few years, an electric 4-wheeled vehicle will be a necessary and environmentally friendly investment for every family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n