VinFast’s battery swapping network could make Manila-to-Baguio rides possible
One of the biggest questions surrounding electric scooters has always been if they can or cannot handle long-distance rides. That’s especially true in the Philippines, where many riders use their motorcycles not only for the daily commute, but also for weekend rides out of town.
Looking at VinFast’s newly announced network of 21 dealerships nationwide, that question may soon have an answer. Assuming every dealership is equipped with a fully operational battery-swapping cabinet, a ride from Metro Manila to Baguio City appears possible using battery swaps alone.
Since VinFast’s electric scooters fall under the LTO’s L3 classification, comparable in performance to a 125cc motorcycle, the journey would have to avoid expressways and instead follow MacArthur Highway, Maharlika Highway, and finally Marcos Highway into Baguio. The route covers roughly 300 kilometers, depending on the exact roads taken.
Based on the dealership locations released by VinFast, riders heading north would have access to battery-swapping stops in Meycauayan (or Sta. Maria) in Bulacan, Capas in Tarlac, and San Carlos in Pangasinan before making the final climb to Baguio. Assuming battery-swapping services are available at each location, the route effectively creates a chain of swap points stretching from Metro Manila toward the Summer Capital.
Instead of waiting for a battery to recharge, riders could simply replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one and continue the journey, much like stopping at a fuel station.
The final leg from San Carlos to Camp John Hay would likely be the most demanding. Aside from the uphill climb into Baguio, higher elevations typically require more energy than riding on flat highways, making careful trip planning even more important.
Of course, real-world range will still depend on several factors, including riding speed, payload, traffic, weather, and elevation.
We at MotoPinas.com experienced a similar challenge in 2023, when we rode a ZEEHO AE8 from Manila to Dingalan, Aurora. While the electric scooter successfully completed a journey of roughly similar distance, repeated charging stops significantly increased the total travel time. Battery swapping has the potential to reduce those waiting periods and make long-distance electric scooter rides much more practical.
For now, a Manila-to-Baguio ride remains theoretical. But based on the recent dealership network VinFast has laid out, it is no longer an idea that can be dismissed outright. And if the promised 30,000 battery-swapping stations become fully operational across the country, riding an electric scooter from Metro Manila to any destination could soon become a road trip just as anyone would on a gasoline-powered scooter.
