We asked VinFast to answer some of the most common questions about their battery subscription program
VinFast’s battery-swapping e-scooters are headed to the Philippines, promising affordable electric mobility, practical riding range, and a solution to one of the biggest concerns among EV buyers, which is range anxiety.
The company is also pushing an ambitious plan to build 30,000 battery-swapping stations nationwide, allowing riders to swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones in minutes.
Still, the way VinFast prices its e-scooters remains alien to many Filipino riders, particularly the battery subscription model. Simply put, buyers can purchase the scooter without a battery and subscribe to VinFast’s battery service instead. Ahead of the brand’s planned July launch, we’ll try to answer some of the most common questions about this new ownership setup, with the help of our friends at VinFast.
A closer look at the U-box of a VinFast Viper e-scooter. Note the two battery slots.
Q&A
Q: Can I still use battery-swapping stations if I bought the battery and only pay the swap fee?
A: No. Battery swapping is exclusive to subscribers of VinFast’s battery subscription program. If you choose to purchase the battery outright, you’ll need to charge it yourself using the charger that comes with the e-scooter. A 1,000W fast charger is also available as an option.
Q: If I’m subscribed to the battery plan, can I still charge the battery at home?
A: Yes. Battery subscription users are not limited to swapping stations. You can still charge the battery at home using the portable charger included with the e-scooter.
Q: If I buy the battery instead of subscribing, is it covered by warranty?
A: Yes. VinFast says its batteries are covered by a six-year warranty, providing added peace of mind for buyers who prefer outright ownership.
A VinFast battery-swapping station in Hanoi. Similar stations could soon serve Filipino e-scooter riders nationwide.
Free battery subscription and swap for 1 year
Early adopters get a pretty sweet deal. Customers who sign up for the battery subscription program on or before July 31, 2026, will enjoy FREE battery subscription for one battery per e-scooter for the first 12 months from the battery subscription contract effective date.
The perk doesn’t stop there. VinFast is also offering up to 20 FREE battery swaps per month at V-Green swapping stations. That’s on top of a free battery subscription for the first year, potentially allowing owners to ride for months without paying battery rental or swap fees.
For perspective, VinFast claims each fully charged battery can deliver up to 85 kilometers of range. Multiply that by 20 free swaps, and you’re looking at as much as 1,700 kilometers of riding every month without spending a centavo on charging or swapping. That’s enough for roughly 50 roundtrip commutes between Grace Park in Caloocan City and Paseo de Roxas in Makati, more than what many office workers rack up in a typical month.
To recap, VinFast will initially offer three models in the Philippines: the Evo, Feliz II, and the flagship Viper. Prices start at PHP 70,000 for the scooter alone. Batteries are sold separately at PHP 12,700 each, and riders can install up to two batteries depending on their needs. Those who prefer not to buy batteries outright can instead subscribe to the battery-swapping program and pay a monthly fee of PHP 439, per battery.
