Electric vehicles are entering a new wave of popularity.

The electric vehicle market in Ho Chi Minh City is much more vibrant than it was a few months ago, with many electric car and motorbike models continuously being launched at more accessible prices, and concerns about the price of gasoline vehicles rising due to increased gasoline prices.

Electric motorbikes are in high demand, and many stores don't have any available for immediate delivery - Photo: CONG TRUNG

At many showrooms and dealerships, customers are not just coming to look at the cars but are already making purchases, even accepting deposits and waiting for delivery.

Electric cars enter a fierce race.

On a weekend morning in early April, the flow of cars entering and leaving car dealerships on National Highway 13 was busier than usual. Mr. N. Minh, a customer from Ho Chi Minh City, spent the entire morning visiting several showrooms to learn about electric vehicles before deciding to upgrade his car.

Entering a showroom in the old Binh Duong area, Mr. Minh was introduced by sales consultant Quang to the newly launched plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model, which was released at the end of March.

According to Quang, the number of customers inquiring about pure electric and hybrid vehicles has increased significantly recently. "Customers are more interested now than before. Partly because of rising fuel prices, and partly because electric vehicles offer more choices, more attractive designs, and more affordable prices," Quang said.

The model Mr. Minh is interested in is offered in three versions priced at 789 million, 909 million, and 969 million VND respectively. The salesperson stated that models in this price range are suitable for users who want to travel long distances, thanks to a combined gasoline and electric driving range of over 1,800 km.

Less than 200 meters away, another showroom specializing in electric vehicles was also crowded with customers. In the display area, the latest electric vehicle models were prominently displayed.

According to Thuy, a sales consultant, the number of customers has increased since Tet (Lunar New Year), especially young families and customers using the bikes for ride-hailing services. "Customers now not only ask about prices but also inquire deeply about battery life, operating costs, charging stations, and driving range. Some compare 3-4 brands before making a decision," Thuy said.

The electric vehicle market has become increasingly crowded in a short period, especially with the fierce competition between VinFast and Chinese models. Modern design, advanced technology, and lower prices offer customers more choices. However, this boom also brings considerable pressure to dealerships.

"No one dares to hold onto prices for long these days. The manufacturer changes policies constantly, and dealers have to adjust accordingly. If customers hesitate for a few weeks, the price might already be different," said a sales employee.

With so many customers, many had to wait for electric motorbikes.

While electric cars demonstrate fierce competition among manufacturers, electric motorcycles offer a more direct picture of changing consumer behavior. At many stores in Ho Chi Minh City, customer numbers have increased significantly, especially among ride-hailing drivers, parents buying vehicles for their children to use at school, and those looking to reduce daily transportation costs.

At noon on April 8th, a shop selling electric scooters near the Van Phuc urban area was bustling with customers. Many models priced between 20 and 30 million VND were in high demand.

At times, 4-5 ride-hailing drivers would be waiting simultaneously to complete the paperwork, inquire about installment plans and promotions. Some models require the purchase of batteries upfront, while others require battery leasing and a deposit, with monthly payments of 175,000-300,000 VND.

Ms. Ngoc Anh, a saleswoman, briefly mentioned during a customer visit, "Electric bikes are very popular right now." "We're waiting for the bikes to arrive from the factory. They'll be here in a few days, but you'll have to wait," Ms. Anh said. From our observation, many bikes at this dealership had the words "sold" written on them and were awaiting delivery.

This store receives 100-150 customers daily, with many deciding to make a purchase immediately after trying the product.

Typically, best-selling models experience temporary stock shortages, and the 20-30 million VND/unit price range is currently the most popular. Newer models allow battery swapping at stations or home charging, giving users more flexibility.

Sales volume has increased by 5-6 vehicles per day to 15-20, mainly in the evenings and on weekends. However, supply hasn't kept up, and many models are no longer available. At many dealerships, models using battery swapping technology are attracting a large number of customers who use them for ride-sharing services, but this also makes them difficult to obtain. Customers have to pre-order and wait one to two weeks to receive their vehicles.

Sales policies have also changed to bridge the gap with buyers, such as requiring smaller deposits, offering flexible installment plans, simplifying procedures, supporting trade-ins of old cars for new ones, and providing additional subsidies of a few million dong.

At a store in Hiep Binh ward, many electric motorbike models from brand Y, priced from approximately 14.9 to 17 million VND per unit, are constantly being inquired about. The store manager said that for the student-friendly models, customers only need to wait about 15-20 minutes for the store to assemble, inspect, and deliver the vehicle; no license plate registration is required, making it very convenient. For over a month now, the number of customers has increased significantly, and sales have started to rise noticeably.

According to reports from stores, customer numbers have increased significantly in the past three weeks due to continuously rising fuel prices. Some places estimate a 30-40% increase in purchasing power compared to the same period last year. To capitalize on this momentum, many retailers are offering promotions ranging from several hundred thousand to several million dong, along with improved battery warranties and after-sales service.

Speaking with us, a representative from an automotive manufacturing company stated that the shift in purchasing demand from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric or hybrid vehicles indicates that this segment is gradually moving beyond the exploratory phase and entering a period of real acceleration.

"With fuel prices still fluctuating, charging and battery swapping infrastructure continuing to expand, and manufacturers constantly offering incentives to attract customers, the trend of shifting to electric vehicles is likely to become even stronger in the near future," this person said.

Behind the attractive offers lies the increasing pressure to maintain market share, as many businesses are forced to accept lower profit margins to compete. Direct discounts, registration fee support, free chargers, low interest rates, etc., are therefore appearing more frequently in most showrooms.

Along with the new product, promotional programs have been intensified. Many models receive a direct discount of approximately 6%, and 100% of registration fees are covered for a short period. Buyers also receive free charging at public charging stations until 2027. For vehicles using interchangeable batteries, customers receive free battery replacements for 6 months, while drivers in the service industry may receive support for up to 12 months.

Not only are car models priced over 1 billion VND becoming more crowded, but the segment under 500 million VND is also becoming increasingly competitive. "Previously, they would inquire out of curiosity. Now, they are asking to seriously consider buying. Customers calculate very carefully, but when they find something suitable, they make a purchase quickly," commented Toan, the director of a car showroom.

Tien, a GrabBike driver, said he invested about 50 million VND in a domestically produced electric scooter because he calculated the long-term benefits. "I set aside about 200,000 VND each day. Calculating like that, I'll recoup my investment in the scooter in about 8 months," Tien said. Not only are ride-hailing drivers seeing increased demand, but the mainstream electric scooter segment and scooters for students are also experiencing a surge in sales.

CONG TRUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xe-dien-vao-dot-hut-khach-moi-2026041023075737.htm