Tiny Patrol Power

VinFast’s smallest electric SUV is getting a new public service role in Southeast Asia.

The VinFast VF 3, first positioned as a compact EV for school runs, grocery trips and daily commutes, is now being used by police agencies in the Philippines and Indonesia. The deployments add another use case for the mini electric SUV as local governments and enforcement units look at electric mobility for patrol and support operations.

In the Philippines, the Municipality of Noveleta in Cavite has deployed VF 3 units as electric police patrol vehicles. The move forms part of the town’s push for sustainable governance, environmental responsibility and updated public safety operations.

Noveleta is also cited as the first municipality in CALABARZON to adopt EV mobility goals. Its initial VF 3 patrol units were supplied through VinFast Marikina and Xentro, with more units expected later.

The vehicles will support local patrol work while helping cut fuel use and operating costs. For a municipal fleet, the shift shows how EV adoption is moving beyond private buyers and into government service.

In Indonesia, the VF 3 has been assigned to a more specialized task. The National Traffic Police Corps introduced its Precision Drone Patrol ETLE program, which uses drones to monitor traffic and spot violations. A modified VF 3 was chosen as a mobile transport unit for drone equipment.

The rear section of the vehicle was adapted for storage, allowing officers to carry and deploy traffic-monitoring drones from different locations. Its small size also helps officers move through congested streets and operate in areas where larger vehicles may have difficulty.

The VF 3 measures 3,190 mm long, 1,679 mm wide and 1,652 mm high. It has 16-inch wheels, 175 mm of ground clearance and a driving range of up to 215 kilometers on a full charge. Using DC fast charging, its battery can go from 10 percent to 70 percent in around 36 minutes.

VinFast said these traits make the VF 3 useful not only for city drivers, but also for fleets that need low operating costs, easy maneuverability and practical daily use.

The model has also become a strong seller in Vietnam. VinFast delivered 4,770 VF 3 units in May 2026, raising its total VF 3 deliveries to 20,231 units for the first five months of the year.

For the Philippines, the VF 3 is being pitched as an accessible EV with a 7-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty, a 10-year battery warranty, support from VinFast’s service network and access to the V-Green charging program.

From private errands to patrol duty and drone support, the VF 3 is showing how a small EV can take on bigger work.