Electric cars are the future, but most of the buzz surrounds high-end models from Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. What about the budget-conscious buyers who want to join the electric revolution without breaking the bank? Enter the VinFast VF 3 – a pint-sized Vietnamese EV that’s as cute as a button and as affordable as they come. Let’s take a closer look at this little electric oddity!
Big Things Come in Small Packages
Don’t let its diminutive size fool you – the VF 3 packs quite a punch for its modest $9,428 starting price (in Vietnam, without the battery pack). Under the stubby hood lies a zippy 43 horsepower (32 kW) electric motor that can propel this mini hauler from 0-31 mph (0-50 km/h) in a respectable 5.3 seconds. That may not sound blistering, but it’s more than enough grunt to dart through city traffic.
And that 130-mile (210 km) range? More than sufficient for daily urban duties with a bit left over for weekend jaunts. VinFast has a novel solution to keep costs down too – battery subscriptions starting from just $35/month! Pay as you go for your electric juice. Clever, clever.
But the VF 3 isn’t just a budget box on wheels. This little tyke stands tall with 7.5 inches (191 mm) of ground clearance to clamber over parking lot obstacles. The 16-inch wheels and some aerodynamic sculpting hint at bigger SUV aspirations. And that spacious cabin with its minimalist 10-inch touchscreen? Surprisingly airy for such bantam dimensions.
Charging is a Breeze
Now let’s talk charging because that’s always a priority with EVs. VinFast claims the VF 3 can juice up from 10-70% in just 36 minutes using a fast charger. That’s enough time to grab a coffee, check your socials, and be back on the road. No more range anxiety!
For home charging, VinFast will likely offer wall box installations. But here’s the clever bit – the company’s battery subscription model means you can opt for higher range packs as your needs grow, without having to buy a whole new car. Upgrade the “fuel tank” if you will.
| Battery Subscription | Monthly Cost | Projected Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $35 | 130 miles |
| Plus | $57 | 180 miles |
| Ultra | $79 | 250 miles |
Pretty nifty way to keep operating costs low when you don’t need maximum range all the time. The basic pack is perfect for city runabouts while the bigger batteries can handle longer journeys.
Low Cost, High Value
At the end of the day, the VinFast VF 3 isn’t a tech tour-de-force meant to dethrone Tesla’s best. It’s an affordable, practical EV for the masses who want to transition to electric with minimal fuss and financial pain. Sure, it may look quirky but it checks all the essential boxes.
The VF 3 launches in Vietnam first and will eventually make its way to North America, Europe, and other markets. Exact pricing and spec details are still under wraps though. If it can undercut mainstream gas guzzlers by a significant margin, VinFast may have a winner on its hands with this little electric urban hauler.
It has some cool extras too like Sony’s RIDEVU streaming video service for keeping passengers entertained during charging stops. Little thoughtful features that show VinFast sweated the details.
Will the VF 3 rewrite the electric car rulebook? Probably not. But it brings EVs to the mass market in an affordable, usable, and dare I say, endearing package. Sometimes a friendly little rascal is all you need to put a smile on your face during the daily grind!
What do you think of the VinFast VF 3 electric car? An ingenious budget EV or more style than substance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
