VinFast takes its EV push to PH motorcycle market

Battery swapping seen as key to success.

VinFast has brought its electric motorcycle business to the Philippines, opening 21 dealerships nationwide as it moves to carve out a place in the country’s motorcycle market.

The Vietnamese auto brand opened all 21 e-motorcycle dealerships on August 1, offering three introductory models, Evo, Viper and Feliz II. Pre-orders for the three bikes began in May, with turnover expected in early August.

The move comes two years after VinFast launched its four-wheel EV business in the Philippines, expanding its local electric mobility push into the country’s two-wheel market. The company said the Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s largest two-wheeler markets and one of five key international markets in its electric two-wheeler expansion plan this year.

That gives VinFast a chance to bring electric mobility to a much broader base of riders, particularly as the company positions its e-motorcycles for daily urban commuting, business use and other everyday mobility needs. Company representatives told radar Business that the motorcycle market has the potential to mature as two-wheel EVs find their place in both rural areas and urban markets.

The scooter-type Evo is aimed at entry-level riders, with a top speed of 80 km/h and a claimed range of up to 150 km. The model has also been described as a popular pick among women in Vietnam because of its size and comfort.

The Viper features a sporty, performance-oriented design, with up to 5,200W of output and a top speed of around 90 km/h. The Feliz II, meanwhile, offers versatility for everyday riders with its compact design.

All three models come with battery subscription options aimed at making the bikes more accessible to budget-conscious buyers while giving them flexibility over battery ownership. Buyers can choose to purchase the bikes with two complete batteries, or with one battery alongside a subscription or battery-swapping option.

VinFast’s battery-swapping system is also meant to address one of the practical challenges of electric motorcycle ownership, charging time. Instead of waiting for a depleted battery to recharge, riders can exchange batteries at a swapping station.

Battery swaps, the company said, can be completed in about one minute, which could potentially be useful for riders who make a living on their motorcycles, such as delivery riders and those working in ride-hailing services.

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