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As fuel prices climb in the Philippines, VinFast EVs are emerging as a practical option, offering more predictable costs and a simpler daily commute for workers under pressure.
At 4:00 a.m., Joshua’s alarm rings, and like most mornings, he gets up without much hesitation. There is little room to negotiate with time when your commute already takes up a large part of your day.
By 5:00, he is out, starting a familiar sequence that begins with a tricycle ride, followed by a bus, then a jeepney, and finally a walk to the office in Metro Manila. The daily journeys can take up to six hours, depending on traffic and whether he manages to find rides at each transfer point.
What has made things harder in recent weeks is not just congestion, but cost. Fuel prices have been climbing again across the Philippines, and the effects ripple quickly through public transport. Some drivers shorten their routes, others stop operating during certain hours, and waiting times become less predictable. An IT professional, Joshua now spends close to 10,000 pesos a month just getting to and from work, nearly half of his 23,000-peso salary. There are days when he waits 45 minutes for a ride, or pays extra just to secure a seat, knowing that being late is not an option.
The strain has made its way out of the realm of finance and slowly crept into his lifestyle. Gone are the days of small, guilty spending like coffee and weekend outings. He even considers walking longer segments of his commute just to save a few pesos more.
For now, owning a car is not part of his plan. It feels out of reach, especially with the assumption that cars come with high upfront costs and ongoing fuel expenses that would only add to his burden. But as fuel prices continue to rise, the idea of finding a more stable, predictable way to commute begins to take shape.
EVs as an alternative
This is where the conversation around electric vehicles starts to enter, not as an immediate decision, but as a possible way out. For many people in Joshua’s position, EVs have long been associated with higher prices, particularly because of concerns about potential battery replacement. However, some brands have started to approach this differently, breaking down the cost structure in a way that makes ownership more accessible.
“People like VinFast have been doing something pretty good about solving that problem… what they do is they have a battery subscription program,” automotive journalist James Deakin noted in a recent discussion[1].
The idea with VinFast’s battery subscription is rather straightforward. Instead of paying for the battery upfront as part of the car, buyers can subscribe to it on a monthly basis, which lowers the initial purchase cost by close to 20 percent, bringing it closer to what first-time buyers can realistically consider.
For example, the VF 6 Eco with battery included is priced at around 1,499,000 pesos, while the battery subscription version brings that down to about 1,249,000 pesos, paired with a monthly battery fee of roughly 2,350 pesos. That’s a difference of about 250,000 pesos upfront.
Once the initial cost becomes more manageable, the day-to-day expenses begin to matter even more. Right now, Joshua spends close to 10,000 pesos a month on a fragmented commute that still costs him hours every day. Sure, a gasoline car could turn it into a one-leg journey, but fuel alone would still cost him over 5,000 pesos monthly, assuming a typical B-segment gasoline vehicle that consumes around 78 liters of fuel for a 1,200-kilometer monthly commute.
By contrast, the VF 6 operates on electricity, with energy consumption equivalent to roughly 155 kWh per month, which would cost around 2,150 pesos when charging at home. The difference becomes more pronounced when taking into consideration that VinFast’s free charging program at partner V-Green’s stations runs until March 2029, effectively removing that monthly energy cost during the period. Over three years, that translates to savings of roughly 77,000 pesos, an amount that can meaningfully change how a household budget is managed. Even when factoring in the battery subscription fee, the total remains below typical gasoline spending.
A good car in its own right
Beyond the cost structure, the VF 6 is designed to work as good as, even better than, other EVs in dense urban environments like Metro Manila with its compact SUV form factor. With around 210 horsepower, it delivers performance comparable to a 2.7-liter gasoline engine, but in a smoother and quieter manner.
Inside, the layout centers around a 12.9-inch display, which consolidates navigation, media, and vehicle settings into a single interface. It is a detail that reduces clutter and simplifies interaction, especially for drivers who may be transitioning from older vehicles.
Space is another consideration, particularly for those thinking beyond daily commuting. The VF 6 offers up to 1,275 liters of cargo capacity, enough to handle groceries, luggage, or occasional family trips without requiring much adjustment.
Topping it all off, the VF 6 also comes with a 7-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty, alongside an long battery warranty that can reach up to 10 years depending on the market. In addition, the Residual Value Guarantee program offers a structured buyback option, with VinFast committing to repurchase the vehicle at up to 90 percent of its original price.
Joshua is not planning to switch to an electric vehicle tomorrow. But as fuel prices continue to rise and his daily commute becomes harder to manage, the idea starts to look like a practical alternative, not as a lifestyle upgrade, but as a way to regain control over time, costs, and the rhythm of everyday life. “If I can just spend less time worrying about the ride and more time actually living, that’s already a big change,” he said.
