VI AST is entering the Philippine electric motorcycle market with three new models — the Evo, Feliz II, and Viper — but prospective buyers may want to look beyond the attractive starting prices before signing up.
The Vietnamese manufacturer has opened reservations for the three battery-swapping electric motorcycles, with prices starting at P70,000 for the Evo, P72,400 for the Feliz II, and P81,900 for the Viper.
Those figures, however, apply only to motorcycles sold under VinFast’s battery subscription program.
Under the scheme, buyers pay less upfront because the batteries are not included in the purchase price. Instead, users subscribe to the batteries for P439 per month each. Since the motorcycles are designed to carry two batteries for maximum range, owners looking to utilize the full capability of the vehicle will spend P878 every month on subscription fees alone.
Battery swaps are also charged separately at P35 per battery.
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The alternative is to purchase the motorcycles with batteries included. Doing so increases the purchase price by about P25,000, but eliminates monthly subscription fees and swap charges.
For example, the Evo jumps from P70,000 to P95,400 when equipped with two batteries. The Feliz II rises from P72,400 to P97,800, while the Viper increases from P81,900 to P107,300.
For Filipino buyers, the decision may come down to infrastructure rather than cost.
VinFast and its partner, V-Green, have begun deploying battery-swapping stations in the Philippines, but the network remains limited. Outside a handful of urban locations, swapping stations are still few and far between, making it difficult to rely on battery exchanges as part of daily use.
That reality could make outright battery ownership the more practical choice for most riders, at least for now.
Unlike battery swapping, charging can be done at home using readily available electrical outlets. Owners also avoid recurring subscription fees and won’t need to plan routes around the location of battery-swapping stations.
The economics are worth considering as well. A rider subscribing to two batteries will spend more than P10,500 annually on subscription fees alone, excluding any swap charges. Over several years of ownership, the cost difference between subscription and outright purchase begins to narrow considerably.
The motorcycles themselves appear well suited to urban commuting.
All three models use a 5,200-watt in-wheel motor and can accommodate up to two 1.5-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium iron phosphate battery packs. VinFast claims a maximum range of up to 150 kilometers with two fully charged batteries installed.
The Evo is the slowest of the trio with a top speed of 80 kph, while both the Feliz II and Viper can reach 90 kph.
Among the three, the Viper targets younger riders with sportier styling and additional features, including a TFT instrument panel, projector headlamps, smart key functions, and upgraded rear suspension.
The Evo and Feliz II take a more practical approach, focusing on daily commuting and low operating costs.
Reservations are open until July 18 through VinFast dealerships nationwide and the company’s Philippine website. Deliveries are expected to begin in July.
For now, the motorcycles themselves may be the easy part of the buying decision. Choosing between battery subscription and outright ownership could prove more complicated — especially while the country’s battery-swapping network remains a work in progress.