VinFast’s 10-year warranty eases EV buyer concerns

VinFast is banking on long-term warranty coverage to ease concerns among Filipinos considering their first electric vehicle.

The carmaker offers vehicle warranties of up to 10 years in the Philippines. Models bought with the battery included also receive battery coverage of up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometers.

The terms are among the longest offered in the local EV market, where buyers continue to weigh battery life and possible replacement costs against the lower running expenses of electric vehicles.

A 2026 Deloitte study cited by VinFast found that 41 percent of Filipinos considered the eventual cost of battery replacement a primary concern when looking at an EV.

Another study by Agile Data Solutions found that 20 percent of Filipino consumers identified battery lifespan and replacement expenses as a major obstacle to switching.

These concerns have changed the way buyers assess electric cars. Vehicle design, cabin technology and driving range are still important, but warranty coverage can help buyers estimate how much financial risk they will carry after the purchase.

Research in other markets suggests that consumers place a clear value on longer protection. An econometric study of the United States car market found that buyers were willing to pay a median of about $850 for one additional year of warranty coverage.

The value was higher for vehicles whose reliability was less certain. That finding is relevant to newer EV manufacturers that have yet to build a long local ownership record.

A separate study involving more than 9,000 used-car auctions found that vehicles sold with a warranty fetched prices 11 percent higher than those without coverage. Among sellers with no established transaction history, the estimated premium reached 60 percent.

VinFast sees its warranty as a way to address this familiarity gap. The Vietnamese manufacturer is among several newer EV brands entering Southeast Asia as established carmakers expand their own electric lineups.

PwC’s 2025 ASEAN-6 eReadiness report found that newcomer EV brands were challenging traditional manufacturers across the region. Consumer skepticism toward unfamiliar names, however, continued to be an obstacle to wider adoption in the Philippines.

Long warranty coverage may also affect the second-hand market. A Green Finance Institute survey found that 62 percent of drivers who did not own an EV cited battery lifespan as a major concern when considering a used electric car.

Assessing a second-hand EV is different from checking a conventional vehicle. Buyers need information about battery condition, charging history and the protection that will still be available after ownership changes.

VinFast supplements its warranty with a Residual Value Guarantee program. Under the program, eligible vehicles owned by their original buyers are guaranteed up to 90 percent of their net retail price after six months. The guaranteed value gradually falls to 70 percent after three years.

The company is also expanding its support network in the country. It offers roadside assistance and access to the V-Green charging network, which currently operates 137 charging stations in 22 areas, including locations in Cebu and Mindanao.

VinFast customers receive free unlimited charging at V-Green stations until 31 March 2029. The ownership package also includes a complimentary home wall charger and installation.

The charging offer and warranty give prospective buyers a clearer view of some long-term ownership costs. Their value, however, will depend on the availability of service facilities and the manufacturer’s ability to honor the coverage throughout its term.