VinFast: Are battery subscriptions the way forward?

With the launch of the VinFast VF7, the VinFast lineup in the Philippines has been growing slowly but steadily. As the VinFast stable is composed of purely Electric Vehicles (EVs), the automaker has a balancing trick on its plate to make its products affordable but profitable at the same time. 

The solution VinFast has come up with is the battery subscription plan available in all its vehicles. In this article, we’ll talk about how it works, and how it could be a great way to get the masses traveling in EVs affordably. 

To put it simply, VinFast’s battery subscription allows buyers to purchase the vehicle and battery separately. Using the recently launched VF7 as an example, the VF7 comes in two trim levels: the single-motor Base and the dual-motor Plus. The price of the VF7, including the battery, is P1,760,000 for the Base and P2,380,000 for the Plus.

With VinFast’s battery subscription option, buyers can enjoy a 16.48 percent reduction in the purchase price. If buyers choose the battery subscription, the Base variant is now priced at P1,470,000, while the Plus variant is priced at P1,730,000. Meanwhile, the battery’s monthly lease starts at P6,300 for a monthly travel allowance of 1,500 km, which can be increased to 2,500 km for P9,500, and up to P15,000 if you plan to exceed 2,500 km per month.

This means that while owners have to pay a monthly fee for the battery, the initial cost of owning an EV is made easier and less expensive. 

The primary advantage of choosing a battery subscription over purchasing the battery outright is the lower initial vehicle cost. By leasing the battery from VinFast, buyers can avoid a large upfront payment and instead spread out their expenses with manageable monthly payments

Next, the subscription eliminates worries about battery degradation, as VinFast assumes full responsibility for the battery’s life cycle. Additionally, VinFast offers a battery replacement guarantee if the battery’s capacity falls below 70 percent. This is especially valuable since battery replacements can amount to as much as 30 percent of the vehicle’s value—a cost that VinFast covers for subscription customers.

No, opting for the battery subscription with any VinFast model does not mean sacrificing features in your car. Naturally, the features you receive depend on the variant you select. Choosing the VF7 Plus over the Base, for example, adds advanced driver assistance features such as Lane Assist, Highway Driving Assist, and Cruise Assist, along with several additional features. Additionally, the Plus variant includes a larger battery pack with a capacity of 75.3 kWh and enhanced power, thanks to a second electric motor that provides 500 Nm of torque and 348 hp.

Overall, buying a VinFast is similar to purchasing any other vehicle, but this new EV brand stands out by offering more flexible ownership options for those who want to transition to electric propulsion. Check out the VF7 and other VinFast vehicles on AutoDeal.com.ph.