The Case for Electric: Why Vietnamese Consumers are Making the Switch from Gas to Electric Motorcycles.

“It all started with my wife’s VinFast Evo200,” said Mr. Thanh Son (Ho Chi Minh City), recounting his decision to switch to electric motorcycles in mid-2024. “Electric vehicles are quiet, efficient, and very economical. I initially just wanted to try it out, but I ended up loving it.”

Mr. Thanh Son (in black, on the left) bought the Feliz S to replace his daily Honda SH

According to Mr. Son, before purchasing the Feliz S for his daily commute and replacing his Honda SH, he didn’t have much impression of electric motorcycles. However, when his wife bought the VinFast Evo200, he gained practical experience and gradually changed his perspective.

The first thing that convinced him was the modern and sporty design of the vehicle. Moreover, he was surprised by the performance of this type of vehicle, which was very powerful yet economical.

“I used to spend about 1.3-1.4 million VND on fuel and oil changes for my Honda every month,” said Mr. Son. “With the Feliz S, electricity costs only a few dozen thousand VND, plus a pin rental fee of 350,000 VND/month, which is still much more economical than a gasoline-powered bike.”

Similarly, according to calculations by many users, compared to gasoline-powered motorcycles, VinFast’s electric motorcycle range is much more cost-effective. On average, a gasoline-powered motorcycle consumes about 2.5 liters of gasoline for a distance of 100 km. With the current gasoline price, the operating cost of a gasoline-powered motorcycle per km is about 512 VND. In contrast, the VinFast Feliz S, for example, consumes about 3.5 kWh for a distance of nearly 200 km. At a residential electricity price of about 3,500 VND per kWh, the traveling cost of an electric motorcycle per km is only 61 VND.

Thus, the charging cost of an electric vehicle is only 1/8 of that of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. For those in business or providing services, the more they travel, the lower the cost compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle with the same performance and price, even when considering the additional cost of pin rental.

According to Mr. Thanh Son, since owning an electric motorcycle, he has forgotten the tired feeling of going to gas stations and waiting for his turn in hot or rainy weather.

With the Feliz S, Mr. Son travels about 100 km daily, including deliveries. He appreciates the range of this Vietnamese-made vehicle, which meets his needs. As he has a parking space at home, charging is very convenient and flexible in terms of timing. Moreover, with VinFast’s extensive charging station network across Vietnam, he has no concerns about refueling.

Mr. Son also believes that long-term use of electric motorcycles will help develop habits and plans to make the journey more convenient. Electric motorcycles are not much different from using smartphones in the early days.

Since owning the Feliz S, Mr. Son has given his beloved Honda SH, which he had used for over four years, to his parents. He is also suggesting that his parents switch to electric motorcycles to experience the smooth operation and cost savings.

In addition to the advantages of the vehicle itself, Mr. Son shared that he chose VinFast electric motorcycles because they are Vietnamese products. “Among many choices of electric motorcycles from different brands, I chose VinFast to support our country’s brand,” said Mr. Son. He believes that VinFast’s electric motorcycles are worthy of ownership and can completely replace gasoline-powered motorcycles.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)