VinFast Electrifies European Bus Market with Dual Debut at Busworld – CleanTechnica

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VinFast is making its move into the European public transport sector, officially launching its e-bus charging strategy at Busworld Europe 2025 happening tomorrow (US time) in Brussels.

This dual debut introduces a new, zero-emission option to operators facing increasingly stringent EU emissions targets, including the 2030 goal for 90% of new buses being zero-emission. It also comes on the heels of VinBus (VinGroup’s bus maker in Vietnam) success in its home market, where, according to sources, it has fine-tuned its buses to be ready for the European market.

The company is set to unveil two distinct models tailored for the types of road and mobility requirements in the EU, the EB 8 and the EB 12. Both models are fully compliant with EU regulations, with the EB 12 already homologated to meet UNECE and CE standards, while EB 8 homologation is currently in process. To ensure their electric buses are optimized for local conditions, VinFast has adapted the specifications of these vehicles to suit European operating environments and infrastructure.

The buses do not carry the local market name VinBus and use VinFast instead, to align with the global ambitions of the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker.

“Europe shares VinFast’s vision of a green and sustainable future, and the launch of our VinFast electric bus models at Busworld is a strong statement of VinFast’s long-term commitment to the region,” Le Thi Thu Thuy, Chairwoman of VinFast, said in a statement.

The company has appointed Patrick Oosterveld, formerly of Ebusco and BYD, as Director of Sales eBus for the Netherlands, signaling its focus on key markets.

Oosterveld is a highly experienced automotive executive in the electric bus sector, leveraging over 23 years of expertise in the bus industry to drive VinFast’s expansion as the current Director of Sales eBus for the Netherlands. His background includes significant roles with major players in electric mobility: he served as Sales Director at Ebusco and, immediately prior to that, was the Deputy Sales Director for the Chinese manufacturer BYD, where he was instrumental in key fleet introductions, including the entry of BYD’s e-buses into the German market. This strategic experience also includes a tenure at VDL, which is considered a mobility expert in the region. His experience positions him as a crucial leader familiar with the complexities of the European public transport market.

Bus fleet power

Powering the new fleet are lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs, sourced from major suppliers including CATL and Gotion. The EB models will offer a robust capacity of up to 422 kWh, translating to a projected real-world range of approximately 400 km. Charging capabilities are also designed for efficiency, with the ability to charge at up to 140 kW, allowing for a full battery replenishment in just two to three hours.

Safety and convenience are key features. The buses incorporate a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies, including blind spot detection, especially suited for high pedestrian and bicycle traffic, intelligent speed assistance, forward collision warning, drowsiness monitoring.

Passenger comfort is also prioritized, with features like Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, onboard infotainment systems, and kneeling suspension for simplified boarding.

Leveraging its experience from the passenger car division, VinFast plans to provide European bus customers with a dedicated after-sales approach. This includes a service network supported by a mobile app and a multilingual support team.

In a crucial infrastructure move earlier this year, the company partnered with DHL Supply Chain to establish a centralized spare parts hub in Holtum (Born), the Netherlands. This is designed to guarantee delivery of urgent parts for vehicles out of service (Vehicle Off Road or VOR parts) across Europe in under 24 hours, supporting the company’s customer-first philosophy.

VinFast also intends to form partnerships with local suppliers and transport specialists to smooth its market entry, with the goal of operating in five EU markets by 2026.

The manufacturer emphasizes its full vertical integration, encompassing everything from battery production to final assembly, which gives it control over the manufacturing process. With significant manufacturing capacity, the brand reports an annual production of 1,500–2,000 buses, with processes engineered for CE compliance.

“Beyond individual electric cars, we are building a comprehensive green transformation ecosystem to make electrified transport more accessible than ever. With an increasingly diverse product range, we are confident we can contribute to creating a zero-emission transport system and a cleaner, greener life for Europeans,” Le Thi Thu concluded.

While pricing and detailed specifications will be revealed later at the opening of Busworld, the price point is expected to be highly competitive. VinFast is also preparing to introduce a new offering for the mid-range electric bus segment, with further information to be announced later this year.