Vinfast VF

VinFast, the newest electric car maker from Vietnam, offers an innovative idea in selling their newest VF 5, a compact electric SUV. One can choose to buy the car with the battery or subscribing to it separately. 

VinFast’s battery subscription program offers customers greater purchasing flexibility, empowering them to choose the option that best suits their needs. In addition to traditional car purchases where the battery is included in the price, VinFast offers a subscription model where customers essentially lease the battery from VinFast instead of making a large upfront payment. 

The VF 5 sells at P1,191,000 with the battery included, while the subscription model lowers the price to just P992,000 — a significant 16% reduction. VinFast offers battery subscription with tiers based on monthly driving distance (first Tier at P5,800 for up to 1,500 km per month). Two additional tiers will likely be offered — one for distances up to 3,000 km and another for over 3,000 km (or unlimited). 

This eliminates the concern of battery degradation, as VinFast takes full responsibility for the battery’s life cycle, providing peace of mind for those new to electric vehicles and the battery replacement is guaranteed if capacity drops below 70 percent to ensures optimal performance and enhances the car’s resale value. 

On the other hand, buying the VF 5 with the battery included, although the initial cost is higher, eliminates recurring monthly fees, making it attractive to those who dislike subscription-based services. Combined with home charging, this option can significantly reduce daily operating costs. The price difference between buying the battery and opting for the subscription is roughly P200,000 Pesos which is about the same for the 3-year battery subscription fees if you travel 1,500 km per month.