You’ve probably seen them glide past you in Metro Manila traffic — bright cyan Green GSM taxis, or the sleek new VinFast VF 3s cruising quietly through EDSA. Maybe you’ve even ridden in one and thought, “This feels good.” That smooth, silent acceleration can convince anyone that the future has arrived.
If you’re tempted to make the switch yourself, pause and take a quick check. Buying your first electric vehicle (EV) is exciting, but it’s also a decision that deserves a little thought. Here are seven simple questions to ask before taking the leap, so your first electric experience is smooth, practical, and built for how you move.
1. How far do you really drive each week?
Before comparing price tags, think about your actual routine. Do you mostly move around Makati and BGC, or take weekend trips to Tagaytay or Batangas?
Your daily distance determines what kind of EV fits your lifestyle. For city commutes and short drives, compact models like the VinFast VF 5 or VF 6 are ideal. The VF 5’s 326km range covers errands and office runs with ease, while the VF 6 stretches to 480km, perfect for quick escapes beyond the metro.
If you’re often on expressways or long provincial drives, the VinFast VF 7 and its nearly 500km range will serve you better. It’s roomy, refined, and ready for road trips.
2. What’s inside the battery that powers it all?
The battery is your EV’s heart. It determines how far you can go and how long your car lasts.
VinFast uses LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries in models like the VF 6 and VF 7, known for their safety, stability, and resistance to overheating in tropical climates. Backed by a 10-year or 200,000km warranty, they give peace of mind that your investment is built to last.
3. Where can you charge — and how easy is it?
Good news: charging is no longer a mystery. More public stations are appearing in malls, offices, and expressways across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Before you buy, find out what type of connector your car uses and where the nearest stations are. If you live in a condo, check management policies for home charger installations. Many new EV owners opt for a Level 2 wall charger, which fills the battery overnight.
To make charging stress-free, VinFast also offers a three-year free charging program through V-Green, giving owners more freedom to explore without range anxiety.
4. How safe is your EV?
Safety should never be optional. Even the compact VinFast VF 3 includes essentials like ABS, hill-start assist, and airbags. The VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 add blind-spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, and multiple airbags for added confidence.
These systems work quietly to protect you in city traffic and long drives alike. Before signing, review crash-test results, stability control, and driver-assistance features because every journey deserves peace of mind.
5. Does it feel as good as it looks?
Specs can look impressive, but a test drive reveals everything. Try out the heads-up display that projects your speed onto the windshield, or explore smart features like voice assistants and mobile app controls that let you pre-cool the cabin or check your battery from your phone.
These little details, such as comfort, quiet, tech integration, are what make the switch to electric truly satisfying.
6. Who’s got your back after you buy?
After-sales support matters just as much as specs. Ask where the nearest service centers are and whether parts are stocked locally.
VinFast continues to expand its after-sales network through partners like Motech and JIGA, ensuring maintenance and repairs are convenient. Roadside assistance and over-the-air software updates also make ownership easier — your car can literally upgrade itself overnight.
7. Is it really worth it?
Time to crunch the numbers. A full home charge typically costs around PHP200–PHP300, while a gas fill-up can easily top PHP1,000. Add fewer maintenance costs, tax incentives, and lower registration fees, and the long-term savings are hard to ignore.
As VF 3 owner Paul Reyes puts it after 10,000 kilometers on the road: “I’ve really been enjoying the experience. I’m never switching back to gasoline or diesel again.”
Once you’ve answered these questions, that quiet glide through traffic becomes your new normal. Soon, you won’t just be watching EVs zip by. You’ll be one of the confident drivers shaping the electric future of the Philippines.