VinFast Canada to offer free EV charging, at-home chargers to new buyers

Vietnam-based electric-vehicle maker VinFast will give Canadian customers a choice of two programs that offer free charging services when they order one of its utility vehicles.

The VinFast Charged Up program allows for either free charging at a variety of networks across Canada or buyers can select a free VinFast Level 2 home charger and installation credit.

The first offer consists of three years of unlimited, complimentary charging sessions using VinFast’s Canadian public charging partner, ChargeHub. ChargeHub’s service connects VinFast drivers to charging stations owned by a growing number of charging networks without having to leave what the automaker calls “the VinFast ecosystem.” The ChargeHub app allows drivers to pay for charges with six charging networks across the continent. 

VinFast drivers will have the ability to charge at more than 6,000 Level-2, and more than 800 Level-3 charging stations across Canada, with more to come. The partnership also extends coverage to Canadians travelling to the United States on stations operated by ChargeHub Passport compatible networks. 

The second charging offer is the VinFast Level-2 Home Charger valued at $849 and a $1,000 credit towards home installation carried out by Qmerit, which is VinFast Canada’s installation partner. 

VinFast says its home charger can charge 40 per cent faster than the standard mobile charger and provides features such as adjustable charging speeds, Wi-Fi connectivity and “a host of additional smart features currently in development.” The automaker didn’t elaborate.

Along with the charging perks, all customers reserving under the VinFast Charged-Up program will also receive a free one-year VinFast Smart Driving package, “including Level 2+ ADAS and Smart Services suite.”

The premium package includes, but is not limited to: automated lane changing assist, smart parking assist, remote parking assist, over the air updates, voice assistants (including Cerence and Alexa), geo-fencing, time-fencing, live traffic, satellite view, in-car shopping, mobile home and office enabling virtual assistant, streaming apps, games, web browsers, smart home control, and more.

VinFast recently revealed its battery subscription pricing for the VF 8 and VF 9 utility vehicles. And, the automaker says it will eventually offer the batteries for sale with the purchase of a new vehicle.

Under the leasing program, the automaker will rent the battery packs to customers, rather than include its cost in the original price of the vehicles.

However, VinFast said Tuesday that the battery subscription policy applies to “100 per cent of the EVs sold until the end of 2023.”

The VF 8 and VF 9 will come in two trims: the Eco and Plus. VinFast also will offer two battery options with different target range estimates per full charge for each version.