VinFast PH’s big push for BEVs comes at the right ‘climatic’ conditions
Something in the atmosphere shifts just before lightning strikes. Humans feel it as a prickling on the skin, the hair on their arms standing on end. When a massive electrical imbalance develops between storm clouds and the ground, you feel the tension of electrostatic induction. Then comes the scent—that clean, metallic ozone—a sure sign of an imminent discharge.
In many ways, that is exactly what advocates of electric vehicles (EVs) are feeling right now. “Storm clouds” of geopolitical conflict causing fossil fuel prices to spiral, fueled by global calls to mitigate climate change and a local desperation for breathable city air, have created a perfect atmosphere for “lightning” to strike.
That lightning is the surge of electrified vehicles—battery EVs (BEVs), hybrids, and plug-in hybrids—arriving on our shores from all directions.
In the Philippines, one bolt of lightning has created thunder more deafening than most, and it comes from our neighbor, Vietnam. Since its brand launch in May 2024, VinFast has made it clear that it is placing all its marbles on the purest form of electrification: The BEV. With the current volatility of the pumps, it seems to be the most apt move.
This was the core message during the April 14 symposium, “From Fuel to Future: The Philippines’ EV Turning Point,” at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater. Key executives discussed an ecosystem designed to thrive in this climate of uncertainty. Carlo Arguelles (aftersales director) and Rox Lacerna (deputy CEO) highlighted how the Residual Value Guarantee and battery subscription programs address the painful purchase cost often associated with BEV ownership. Meanwhile, Ryan Rey Jarina of V-Green laid out an ambitious roadmap: 5,000 charging stations and 30,000 swapping stations by the end of 2026.
The most fearless forecast came from VinFast Southeast Asia CEO Antonio “Toti” Zara, who stated that by year’s end, VinFast would be the number one BEV company in the Philippines. On the ground, the momentum is visible; Director of communication Nora Liquido recently revealed that stocks for the entry-level VF3 have already run out.
Going up against the giants
If the VF3 is the “disruptor,” the VF6 is the “contender.” During a recent ride-and-drive to Laguna, Victor Jose Vela, Deputy CEO for Sales, noted: “We want to see how the VF6 delivers where it matters most: Efficiency, comfort, and everyday usability.”
The VF6 enters a ring dominated by formidable giants like the BYD Atto 3 and the Toyota Yaris Cross HEV. To win, it relies on a blend of Italian-inspired aesthetics and a “tech-first” philosophy.
Available in Eco and Plus variants, both are front-wheel drives powered by a 59.6 kWh LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery. For the technically inclined, this is a significant “green” win: the battery is manufactured by Gotion—the world’s fifth-largest supplier—in which the Volkswagen Group holds a 26-percent stake. LFP chemistry means no cobalt, higher thermal stability, and a longer lifecycle.
The Eco variant offers a respectable 174 hp and a 480 km range (NEDC), while the Plus ups the ante to 201 hp and 310 Nm of torque, sacrificing a bit of range (460 km) for more “oomph.”
A digital cockpit
Stepping inside the VF6 feels like a leap into the digital future. There is no traditional dashboard. Instead, a 12.9-inch central touchscreen—one of the largest in its class—acts as the car’s brain. It displays everything: Speed, battery levels, gear modes, and even ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) settings.
For “old school” drivers used to analog needles, this requires a recalibration of the senses. However, the inclusion of an adjustable head-up display (HUD) ensures that essential info remains in the driver’s field of vision. The cabin itself feels surprisingly cavernous; with a 2,730 mm wheelbase, it offers legroom that punches well above its B-segment weight class.
Pesos and kilometers
VinFast’s Battery Subscription Program lowers the VF6’s SRPs significantly. By “renting” the battery for a monthly fee (P2,350 for unlimited mileage), the sticker price of the VF6 Eco drops from P1,499,000 to a much more palatable P1,249,000, and the VF6 Plus from P1,699,000 down to P1,409,000.
But the real “eureka” moment came during our drive from Caloocan to Cabuyao. In a demonstration of its Level 2 Autonomous capabilities, the VF6’s Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) brought the car to a dead stop inches away from a collision, without driver intervention.
More importantly for the wallet, VinFast estimates that at current Meralco rates, a full home charge costs roughly P894. That translates to P1.95 per kilometer. To put that in perspective, our 120 km round trip to Lakehall consumed only about 26 percent of the battery, or P234 in power costs.
Standing next to a car that can brake itself, update its own software, and cost less to “fuel” per kilometer than sari-sari store-bought candy, it’s clear that lightning has already struck fast. Very fast.
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