Every morning, thousands of motorcycle riders in Manila inch through some of the world's most famous traffic jams, exhaust fumes rising around them. Soon, some of those riders may swap their gas tanks for battery packs that can be swapped in less time than it takes to buy a bottle of water.
VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle company, officially launched its electric scooter lineup in the Philippines on July 31, bringing three new models and an ambitious plan to build a massive battery-swapping network that could make clean commuting easier for millions of Filipinos.
The company plans to deploy roughly 30,000 automated battery-swapping cabinets across the country. Instead of waiting hours to charge a scooter at home, riders can pull up to a cabinet, swap their drained battery for a fully charged one, and be on their way in under one minute. Each swap costs about 60 cents. For daily commuters and delivery workers who depend on motorcycles for their livelihood, that speed and predictability could be transformative.
The three debuting models are the Evo, Feliz II, and Viper. All three share the same underlying technology: a 5,200-watt electric motor, slots for two lithium batteries, and water resistance that lets them operate through flooded streets up to half a meter deep for 30 minutes. That last feature could prove especially useful in the Philippines, where monsoon rains regularly swamp city roads.
The entry-level Evo is designed for city commuters who want something nimble and affordable. It reaches a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour and can travel up to 150 kilometers on a full charge when equipped with both batteries. Under a battery subscription model, it starts at roughly $1,210. The middle model, the Feliz II, offers a bigger frame, LED lighting, and slightly more speed at 90 kilometers per hour, with a range of up to 145 kilometers, starting at around $1,250. The top-tier Viper targets riders who want a sportier look inspired by Japanese design, complete with sharp body lines, a digital dashboard, and dual rear shock absorbers, also reaching 90 kilometers per hour and 145 kilometers of range, starting at roughly $1,415.
To give riders a chance to try before buying, VinFast is opening 21 retail showrooms in August, with more than 100 additional locations planned across the country. Initial stores will focus on Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, plus surrounding suburban areas.
The company's approach sidesteps one of the biggest objections to electric vehicles: charging time. By building a dense network of swap stations rather than asking riders to charge at home overnight, VinFast is betting that convenience, not just environmental concern, will win over Filipino commuters. If the 30,000-station network materializes, it would be one of the largest battery-swap infrastructures in Southeast Asia, potentially putting the Philippines at the forefront of electric two-wheeler adoption in the region.