Vinfast have big ambitions in the European market
The Vietnamese electric vehicle and bus company VinFast, owned by the conglomerate Vingroup, is stepping up its investment in electric buses both in its domestic market and internationally. The company has already established a significant presence in Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi, where electric buses have become an important part of public transportation.
According to VinFast, around 2,000 electric buses from VinFast are now operating in the capital Hanoi, of which approximately 600 are operated directly by the sister company VinBus in the Hanoi region. The buses have become a visible symbol of Vietnam’s transition to green mobility and have collectively driven tens of millions of kilometers in regular service.
VinFast manufactures the buses at its modern facility in Hai Phong in northern Vietnam. The factory is among the most automated in Southeast Asia, with a high degree of robotics and integrated production of batteries, drivetrains, and other key components. The production capacity for electric buses is stated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 buses annually, depending on model mix and market demand. There are also plans to build a new and larger factory to increase production capacity, particularly with a focus on electric buses.
The company also has clear ambitions to establish itself in Europe. During Busworld Europe, VinFast presented the bus models VinFast EB 8 and VinFast EB 12, specifically developed for European requirements and regulations. The models are homologated according to European standards and are scheduled to enter commercial operation in Europe from 2026.
Although VinFast is initially launching only two electric bus models, the company is interested in expanding the lineup according to customer demand.
“We are starting with two models for the European market. The first market where we will establish ourselves is the Netherlands. Nearby countries will follow in the next phase, including the Nordic region. To meet customer demand, we are also looking at opportunities to develop additional models. One ambition is to develop an 18-meter articulated bus,” says European Sales Director Patrick Oosterveld.
A central part of the VinFast strategy is cooperation with global technology partners. The buses use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries supplied by companies including CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer for electric vehicles. The battery systems provide a range of up to 400 kilometers and support fast charging of up to 140 kW.
Vingroup views the electrification of public transport as an important part of the group’s long-term strategy in green technology and sustainable cities. In recent years, the conglomerate has invested heavily in electric cars, buses, charging infrastructure, and battery production, with the aim of making Vietnam a regional powerhouse in electric mobil