VinFast Introduces Battery Subscription Program in the Philippines

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As electric vehicle adoption continues to gain momentum in Southeast Asia, VinFast Philippines is once again highlighting battery subscription as a central strategy for lowering the cost barrier to EV ownership in the Philippine market.

During a recent company event covered by local automotive media, VinFast presented updated pricing that clearly illustrates how separating battery ownership from the vehicle can significantly reduce upfront costs.

Under the subscription model, the tiny entry-level VF 3 is priced at ₱745,000 (around US$13,300) with the battery included, but drops to ₱590,000 (about US$10,500) without it. The VF 5 Plus falls from ₱1.099 million (US$19,600) to ₱949,000 (US$16,900), while the VF 6 Eco drops from ₱1.499 million (US$26,700) to ₱1.249 million (US$22,300). Larger models show even wider gaps: the VF 7 Eco is priced at ₱1.76 million (US$31,400) with the battery and ₱1.43 million (US$25,500) under subscription, while the flagship VF 9 Plus drops from ₱5.39 million (US$96,200) to ₱3.845 million (US$68,700).

Monthly subscription fees are charged separately and include battery maintenance and replacement.

Toti Zara, Vice President for Asia-Pacific, said the battery subscription program is not a new concept for the company but a model refined through VinFast’s experience in other markets.

“We constantly find ways to bring EV adoption to the Philippines,” Zara told me at an earlier event. He also said that the subscription, like the company’s residual price program, is designed to make its electric vehicles more accessible and affordable to a broader range of consumers.

According to the company, removing the battery from the upfront purchase price directly addresses two of the most common obstacles to EV adoption: high initial cost and uncertainty over long-term battery performance. Under the subscription scheme, the battery is treated as a service rather than a depreciating asset, shifting maintenance and replacement responsibility to the manufacturer.

VinFast said the battery subscription model complements its residual value guarantee program, which aims to improve resale confidence and reduce ownership risk. Together, the initiatives are intended to make EV ownership more predictable in a market where total cost of ownership often outweighs brand or performance considerations.

The renewed emphasis on battery subscription comes as the Philippine EV market remains highly price-sensitive despite growing interest in electrification. Industry watchers note that while charging infrastructure and policy incentives are important, reducing sticker shock remains one of the fastest ways to expand the potential buyer base.

VinFast has not announced changes to the structure of the subscription program beyond the pricing presented at the event, but company executives indicated that battery subscription will remain a key pillar of its strategy as it seeks to scale EV adoption in the Philippines.