Overview
Vinfast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has secured $135 million to develop an electric bus fleet for public transportation in the country. The buses will be produced at Vinfast's factory in the northern city of Hai Phong. The company plans to produce 1,500 buses per year.
Vinfast's Electric Buses
The buses will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries and have a range of 250 kilometers (155 miles). They will be capable of charging to 80% capacity in 30 minutes. The buses will be equipped with Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and LED lighting.
Vinfast plans to deploy the buses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The company has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hanoi transport authorities to supply 200 buses.
The Market for Electric Buses in Vietnam
Vietnam is aiming to have 1% of its vehicles be electric by 2025. The country currently has very few electric vehicles on its roads. However, the government is providing financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, including electric buses.
The Vietnamese government is also investing in the infrastructure necessary to support electric vehicles, including the installation of charging stations. In June 2018, the government signed a $1.5 billion loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank to develop the country's electric vehicle infrastructure.
Conclusion
Vinfast is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing market for electric vehicles in Vietnam. The company's buses offer a number of features that will be appealing to passengers and operators alike. With the backing of the Vietnamese government, Vinfast is poised for success in the electric bus market.