Currently, the trend of switching from gasoline vehicles to electric vehicles in the transportation sector is increasingly developing. Transport and logistics companies in many countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia are pushing forward plans to develop electric vehicles and have a roadmap to fully transition to electric vehicles by 2035. Vietnam is also following this trend. Since 2022, electric vehicle manufacturers have been collaborating with various transport units to introduce electric motorcycle delivery services. The competition among companies in this sector is becoming more intense day by day.
Vinfast and Ahamove kick off the race for electric motorcycle transportation
At the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), Vietnam committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, ushering in the era of smart electric transportation. By the end of 2022, some transport units had begun the green initiative by deploying electric motorcycles for delivery operations and passenger transport instead of conventional vehicles. On September 15, 2022, Vinfast and Ahamove introduced Ahafast, the first electric motorcycle delivery service in Vietnam based on technology.
Ahamove's goal is to introduce 10,000 electric motorcycles by 2015 to gradually replace gasoline vehicles and low-quality vehicles that impact the environment. The service was initially launched in Da Nang with 100 motorcycles and will later expand to other major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Nha Trang. Mr. Pham Huu Ngon, CEO of Ahamove, stated that the collaboration with Vinfast demonstrates Ahamove's strength in providing customers with a completely new experience with green transportation services. In the future, Ahamove will continue to deploy passenger transport services using electric motorcycles in Da Nang to contribute to making Da Nang the most livable green city in Vietnam and the region, as well as expanding to other major cities nationwide.
It is known that 100 Vinfast motorcycles were handed over to Ahamove to implement the A phase service in Da Nang. The initial model is the Feliz S electric motorcycle, a new generation of Vinfast electric motorcycles that use battery technology to travel approximately 200 km per charge, equivalent to the travel range of gasoline motorcycles, meeting the needs of tech-savvy drivers. In addition to the cost savings on fuel and environmental protection, the Feliz S is equipped with intelligent technologies such as remote-controlled vehicle location in parking lots, anti-theft features, safe zone setup, and battery status notification to help drivers actively manage the vehicle. Moreover, the Feliz S meets the IP67 waterproof standard, allowing the motorcycle to operate stably in heavy rain conditions that frequently occur in many provinces and cities.
According to experts, collaborating with Ahamove to deploy cargo transportation services using electric motorcycles is a significant step in promoting green revolutions towards the national climate change goal from now until 2050.
Selex Motors - A new player in the electric motorcycle delivery race
The electric motorcycle market in Vietnam is gradually heating up, especially in the delivery sector. On May 12, 2023, Selex Motors announced a pilot project with Grab Express to use electric motorcycles for delivery services in Ho Chi Minh City. According to Selex Motors, the new delivery solution will help drivers save 30 to 35% on costs compared to gasoline vehicles. Selex Motors has officially entered Ho Chi Minh City with over 24 battery swap stations to maximize service for Grab Express drivers in this pilot project.
With continuous battery swap stations spread throughout the city, drivers can fully charge their motorcycles in just 2 minutes, eliminating the need to wait in line for 15 to 20 minutes to refuel like traditional motorcycles during hot seasons. The Selex K1 electric motorcycle can travel up to 150 km on a full charge. Instead of producing electric motorcycles for regular commuting needs, Selex Motors has introduced the Selex K1, the first electric utility motorcycle in Southeast Asia. The motorcycle has a load capacity of 225 kg, 50% higher than conventional motorcycles, while saving 25 to 35% on fuel costs and 50% on maintenance costs.
The Selex K1 is equipped with up to 3 battery packs, with a maximum travel distance of 150 km and the ability to navigate through water on normal slopes such as bridges and tunnels. The Selex K1 is priced at 21,890,000 VND excluding VAT for the battery and box. Although Selex Motors is a new player in the electric vehicle market, the company has already partnered with major entities such as Lazada and Viettel Post to pilot the conversion to electric motorcycles. Previously, Selex Motors also collaborated with the Bendmin app to pilot food delivery operations.
Gojek and Dat Bike officially join the game
On May 18, 2023, Gojek, a multi-service technology platform, and Dat Bike, one of the fastest-growing electric motorcycle brands in Southeast Asia, announced a partnership to pilot the use of electric motorcycles for transportation and delivery needs of Gojek users in Vietnam. With this collaboration, Gojek becomes the first technology ride-hailing company in Vietnam to deploy passenger transport using electric motorcycles, in addition to other on-demand services, and the first technology platform to partner with Dat Bike. As part of the partnership, Dat Bike will provide Gojek driver partners with Dat Bike motorcycles for passenger transport, food delivery, and parcel delivery in Vietnam.
Using Dat Bike electric motorcycles can help Gojek driver partners reduce fuel costs to one-fourth compared to conventional motorcycles. This significant cost savings contributes to environmental protection by reducing emissions. The Dat Bike Weaver ++ can reach a maximum speed of 90 km/h and travel 200 km per full charge in 3 hours, allowing the motorcycle to cover long distances before the next charge. This helps driver partners ensure operational efficiency and maintain income. In Ho Chi Minh City, driver partners can charge their batteries for free at dozens of community charging stations.
In addition, the Weaver++ is equipped with a fast charging port to quickly charge the first 100 km in 1 hour at any household electrical outlet and in just 20 minutes at Dat Bike's fast charging station. The Weaver++ is powered by a maximum 7000w motor and tubeless tires, making it easy to navigate steep or rough roads while reducing the risk of punctures during operation. The single-piece design and long seat provide a comfortable and smooth experience for both the rider and passenger. Currently, it is being offered to customers for around 66 million VND.
Mr. Son Nguyen, CEO of Dat Bike, stated that this price is part of Dat Bike's larger vision to convert all gasoline motorcycles to electric motorcycles in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The technology partner network is extensive and consists of high-frequency users of motorcycles. Through this pilot program, Dat Bike aims to convince more users, including technology partners, of the power and convenience that electric motorcycles can bring, promoting the transition to green vehicles for a cleaner environment.
Dat Bike's participation will further heat up the competition in passenger and delivery services using electric motorcycles. As mentioned earlier, in recent times, not only Gojek but also some technology companies and taxi companies in the market have been testing the conversion to electric motorcycles. However, Gojek is the first unit to test the use of electric motorcycles for passenger transport. Dat Bike, a well-known electric motorcycle brand in the Vietnamese market, has been successful on Shark Tank Vietnam. Dat Bike is currently valued at around 32 million USD.
Electric motorcycles solve the fuel cost issue for businesses
According to transport companies, using electric motorcycles for delivery brings many economic benefits to businesses and society. Mr. Vu Duc Thinh, Director of Lazada Logistics, affirmed that introducing electric motorcycles into the Vietnamese delivery market helps reduce environmental emissions while maintaining optimal delivery efficiency. According to calculations by this e-commerce platform, delivering with electric motorcycles not only saves fuel costs compared to traditional vehicles but also has lower maintenance costs than regular gasoline motorcycles. In addition, using electric motorcycles contributes to environmental protection and provides many advantages for business operations and management.
For example, with large cargo compartments that can accommodate more goods, especially bulky items, electric motorcycles help speed up delivery progress, saving time for returning to the warehouse to pick up goods for delivery staff. Moreover, operational management becomes easier for businesses with automatic battery swap stations managed intelligently using ion technology.
Mr. Pham Huu Ngon, CEO, confidently stated that choosing electric technology in cargo transportation and passenger transport at Ahamove aims to minimize negative environmental impacts, ensure safety, and provide a new and excellent experience to users. This strategy also helps save the state budget in handling emissions and reduce the overload on the healthcare system due to the increasing traffic accidents.