“A complete bus range in two years”: VinFast brings sub-€400K electric buses from Vietnam to Europe

After establishing its presence in the European automotive market, VinFast is now taking its first concrete step into public transport. At Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels, the Vietnamese manufacturer unveiled its EB 8 and EB 12 electric buses, marking the official start of its activities in the continent’s electric bus segment.

Drawing on operational experience from more than 300 electric buses already in service across Vietnam, the company is positioning itself as a new player in Europe’s competitive urban bus landscape.

The move follows a series of strategic developments, including the appointment of Patrick Oosterveld — formerly with Ebusco and BYD — as Director of Sales eBus for Europe. In this interview, Oosterveld outlines VinFast’s European bus roadmap, from early market priorities and technical milestones to production capacity, pricing strategy, and long-term ambitions for the electric bus business.

A bit of background: the first electric buses with VinBus’ logo had been launched in Vietnam (Vinhomes Ocean Park, Gia Lam) in April 2021. In late 2022, the Asian Development Bank awarded $135 million financing to VinFast for e-buses and charging stations. Earlier this year, in March 2025, VinFast partnered with DHL Supply Chain to establish a centralized spare parts hub in Holtum (Born), the Netherlands. 

Patrick Oosterveld, VinFast European bus strategies

Can you give us an overview of VinFast’s business and its electric bus operations?

Patrick Oosterveld: VinFast belongs to the VinGroup conglomerate that operates across multiple sectors—housing, buildings, hospitals, e-bikes, scooters, cars, and of course electric buses. By the end of this year, VinFast will have roughly 1,000 electric buses running in Vietnam. The next step is international expansion, including discussions for the US, India, Indonesia, and Europe.

You have been at Busworld with two vehicles, for the first time…

Yes we brought the 12-meter EB12 and the 8-meter EB8. The EB12 is already homologated and ready for sale in Europe, including including type approvals for R107, UNCE, ADAS, R155 and R156, while the EB8 will be on sale from summer next year, after homologation.

VinFast e-buses in Europe: from Benelux going south

Which European markets are you targeting first?

Initially, the Netherlands and Belgium, because of my experience in those countries. Germany comes next. However, participation in tenders requires references, so we aim first to secure some first orders. Afterwards, we plan to expand to France, Italy, Spain, the Nordics, and Central Eastern Europe through our partner Molivi, covering Poland, the Baltic States, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Will VinFast operate through local dealers or company employees?

I strongly believe in local teams. I am the director of sales and I plan to recruit local sales directors in each market. Currently, VinFast has three European locations: Amsterdam, Paris, and Frankfurt.

How many people are currently dedicated to the bus market in Europe?

We have two people fully dedicated to buses. Additional support comes from the broader European team, including marketing, PR, and communications, which primarily handle cars but also assist buses. We don’t yet have a dedicated commercial vehicles division. However, speaking for instance of spare part supply, VinFast car division has a hub in the south of Holland and they use the DHL network for parts supply, and we make use of the same system.

What is the delivery timeline if an order is landed to VinFast today?

Delivery generally takes 10 months. 

Can you highlight the technical strengths of the EB12?

The EB12 is a regular 12-meter low-floor bus built on a KTL-treated chassis with anti-corrosion protection. We give an eight-year warranty on the chassis. It uses a ZF AVE E130 drive axle, from next year we’ll mount the new AxTrax. On the front we have a ZF independent front axle, Steyr seats, Gerfloor flooring, Ventura doors systems, heat pump. Batteries are by CATL or Gotion, located on the roof, and the driver has a closed cabin.

There’s a lot of competition in the European city bus market.

Yes, but Western producers can’t deliver in time. Asian manufacturers are needed to enable operators to comply with the European regulations of CO2 reductions. 

VinFast: our price is a strength

What is the production capacity in Vietnam and current availability?

The Hai Phong plant can produce 2,000 vehicles per year. The plant is on the coast, just 400-meter far from the ferry. Current production is about 60–70 percent occupied, leaving capacity to receive European orders immediately.

How does VinFast plan to support operators with maintenance and workshops?

We rely on Western components that can be serviced in any qualified workshop. We also provide training for local workshops to maintain buses and preserve know-how. However, in general we prefer working with operators who already have maintenance facilities rather than establishing a new service network ourselves. A few years ago operators were afraid of electric vehicles, but now we see that many transport companies are interested in doing maintenance themselves, keen to use their workshops to keep the know-how inside the company. 

What are the strategy and next steps for Europe? Any sales targets?

I believe that what is relevant is that we have a 12-meter Low Floor with three doors, immediately available for sales, and we are going to bring to the market a 2-doors Low Entry model next year. Then we will adapt based on the markets: for the Nordics we will need a 15-meter, for Germany an articulated model. I believe that in two years our offer will be complete. 

Can you summarize the warranty and pricing?

The EB12 comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, with battery warranty up to eight years. And the price is under €400,000. In a context of declining subsidies, we see this as a clear opportunity for us.