Vietnamese automaker VinFast says it has a more affordable way to buy an electric vehicle. But the VinFast way also adds more math to the buying process for EVs, which can already be daunting for shoppers switching from gasoline-powered vehicles.
Beyond calculating state and federal tax breaks and variable electricity rates, VinFast requires buyers of its VF 8 and VF 9 crossovers to choose a battery leasing plan, since the pack is not included in the sticker price.
"It gets complicated on a vehicle that's already complicated," said Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at IHS Markit. "But we are in a space where there is room to test different business models. If it doesn't work, they'll need to be flexible and try something else."