VinFast will arrive in the US with two batteryless electric SUV models.

VinFast from Vietnam will land in the US this year, and its VF 8 and VF 9 electric SUVs will ship with a new battery-free approach. The batteries of these electric vehicles will be included in two different leasing plans, the cost of which will depend on the miles travelled.

New electric vehicle maker VinFast has already promised to start selling vehicles in the US by the end of this year. However, the Vietnamese automaker is in a unique position in the market by sharing the cost of batteries and making them available only by subscription. Yes, batteries are not included.

Two tariff plans for VinfFast batteries

Following the recent announcement of its US plant at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, the automaker announced battery prices for its vehicles, as well as updated pricing for the models. There are two battery pricing structures for both models: a flexible plan for rarer drivers and an unlimited fixed plan for more active users.

Why is WinFast doing this? 

Batteries represent the largest fixed cost in electric vehicles, and the company hopes that by separating the cost from the vehicle package, customers will find the price of the company's vehicles more attractive. In addition, by taking responsibility for the battery, VinFast also hopes to avoid customer worries about battery wear and maintenance costs.

Subscription price for VinFast VF 8 and VF batteries

This is where things get a little more complicated. The flexible plan's monthly cost is $35 for the smaller five-seat FV 8 and $44 for the three-row VF 9 with the larger battery. This is the monthly rate for the first 310 miles. Starting at mile 311, the monthly fee is approximately 11 cents for VF 8 and 15 cents for VF 9 per mile. This means that if a VF 8 owner drives an additional 300 miles per month, they will spend an additional $33, or $68 for 610 miles in one month. Similarly, a VF 9 user will spend an additional $45 or a total of $89 for 610 driving miles per month.

It's safe to assume that VinFast's fixed monthly plan with unlimited range will be more popular as these packages are still reasonably priced at $110 for VF 8 and $160 for VF 9. As long as charging is available and fast, it's attractive deal. , especially in the world at $4 per gallon of gasoline. 

Electrify America is a VinFast Charging Partner

The automaker's recently announced official charging partner is Electrify America, a company whose fast-growing network has been repeatedly criticized for inconsistent service. What's more, the deal only requires new VinFast owners to get two free charging sessions, far less than other automakers' welcome benefits that often include months of free charging.

This subscription price is guaranteed for those who reserve and deposit a 2022 SUV, and interestingly, the lease can also be transferred to the next owner if the original buyer decides to resell their vehicle. In addition, the battery comes with a lifetime warranty with no maintenance costs, and VinFast promises to replace the battery when the usability of the battery degrades below 70%.

This type of battery subscription/lease model has not been previously tested on a large scale in the US. France's Renault has had some success with a similar scheme for its Zoe EV, but it's not yet clear how much US consumers would be interested in such a scheme. This is a bold bet.

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