VINFAST'S OPENING IN EUROPE - PEOPLE WHO SWITCH TO ELECTRIC RARELY LOOK BACK

VinFast is building its European commercial footprint through local dealership and service-provider partnerships.

Rhea-AI Summary

VinFast (VFS) has achieved full European certification for its EB 12 electric bus as it enters the public transport market. Its European bus offering includes the EB 8 and EB 12, alongside the VF 6 compact electric SUV for private drivers.

The company is building a localized commercial footprint through partnerships with dealerships and service providers across Europe. VinFast describes its European presence as a long-term commitment rather than a short-term push for volume, with maintenance, support and warranty forming part of its approach.

Positive

• Minor pointEB 12 full European certification marks a completed regulatory milestone for VinFast's electric bus offering.
• Minor pointEuropean commercial expansion is underway through partnerships with dealerships and service providers.

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Survey participants: Nearly 20,000 EV drivers Satisfied with EV driving and charging: 88% Survey participants: More than 23,000 EV owners +5 more

Survey participants

Nearly 20,000 EV drivers

Chargemap survey in spring 2025 across nine European countries

Satisfied with EV driving and charging

88%

Chargemap survey respondents

Survey participants

More than 23,000 EV owners

GEVA survey across 18 countries

Would choose a zero-emission EV again

92%

GEVA survey respondents

Would return to petrol or diesel

1%

GEVA survey respondents

Very pleased with their car

92% all-electric drivers vs. 74% petrol and diesel drivers

UK Zap-Map poll

Driving experience score

8.39 out of 10

Petronas study

Charging time score

7.7 out of 10

Petronas study; lowest-scoring area

Historical Context

1 past event · Latest: Oct 06

1 event

1. Oct 06

   electric bus expansion

   24h Move

   +0.5%

   Announced a U.S. bus partnership and plans to expand its electric-bus business to Europe.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

plug-in hybrid

1 terms

plug-in hybrid technical

"4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid."

A plug-in hybrid is a type of vehicle that combines a traditional gasoline engine with an electric battery that can be recharged by plugging it into an external power source. This allows the car to run on electric power alone for short distances, reducing fuel use and emissions. For investors, plug-in hybrids represent advances in clean transportation technology that could influence automotive markets and environmental policies.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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PARIS, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- There is a curious paradox on Europe's streets today. People who have never driven an electric car worry about range, charging points and cost. People who have already made the switch rarely mention those worries, and few want to go back to the sound of a combustion engine.

The gap between hesitation before buying and satisfaction after buying is the most telling consumer insight in Europe right now.

Satisfaction, in numbers

A Chargemap survey run in spring 2025 reached nearly 20,000 EV drivers across nine European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. It found that 88% of drivers were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience of driving and charging.

At global level, the Global EV Drivers Alliance (GEVA) surveyed more than 23,000 EV owners in 18 countries. 92% planned to choose a zero-emission EV again, only 1% would return to petrol or diesel, and 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid.  

In the UK, a Zap-Map poll set two groups side by side. 92% of all-electric drivers said they were very pleased with their car, compared with 74% of petrol and diesel drivers. Taken together, the story is consistent. Once people have lived with an EV, they feel the switch was worth it.

What drives that happiness is everyday life

Satisfaction among EV drivers does not come from showy features. In the Petronas study, the driving experience scored 8.39 out of 10, while charging time scored lowest at 7.7. Europeans love how an EV feels to drive. What they still want improved is everyday convenience.

Research by Driveco and Harris Interactive in France points the same way. It found a sharp contrast between non-users' apprehensions and the high satisfaction of owners, with financial accessibility remaining a persistent challenge.

This is why VinFast takes a practical approach. The European market is shifting from early adopters to everyday buyers. For these buyers, efficiency, design and accessibility are what make the switch possible.

The VF 6 is a compact electric SUV suited to city streets and daily commuting, where efficiency and ease of use matter most, giving European drivers a practical path into electric mobility.

From the family car to the city bus 

Happiness on the move is not limited to private cars. As EU regulations push cities toward fully zero-emission bus fleets, VinFast is entering public transport with its EB 8 and EB 12 electric buses.

The EB 12 has achieved full European certification, a milestone that demonstrates compliance with the region's stringent standards and confirms VinFast's ability to deliver vehicles tailored to local infrastructure. Public transport operators need certified, reliable suppliers who are ready to deliver now.

Trust is built on service, not only on products 

VinFast knows that in Europe, the vehicle is only part of the promise. The rest is maintenance, support and warranty.

The company is therefore building a localized commercial footprint through partnerships with dealerships and service providers across the region. This partner-based retail model is a deliberate choice. By working with established local partners who already know their markets, customers and regulations, VinFast combines its products and technology with local expertise.

For drivers, this means service close to home. For fleet operators, it means support that keeps vehicles on the road. For VinFast, it means building trust step by step in every market it enters.

VinFast's presence in Europe is a long-term commitment, not a short-term push for volume. Competitive electric cars, certified electric buses and a growing local service network address both what European customers buy and what keeps them loyal after they buy.

Europe's electric transition is well underway. The question for drivers and cities is no longer whether to go electric, but which brand they can rely on for years to come. VinFast aims to be that brand, bringing accessible, well-designed electric vehicles to European roads, backed by the service and support European customers expect.

About VinFast Auto Ltd.

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS) - a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC - is Vietnam's leading automotive company, committed to its mission of creating a green future for everyone. VinFast offers a range of electric cars, e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-buses in Vietnam and exports to key markets across Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.eu/

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SOURCE VinFast

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Has VinFast's EB 12 electric bus received European certification?

VinFast's EB 12 electric bus has achieved full European certification. The company's entry into public transport includes both the EB 8 and EB 12, but the certification disclosed applies specifically to the EB 12.