As a result of the rising tensions in the Middle East, oil supply and pricing in many regions worldwide have been affected. The unstable situation led many fuel companies to raise their prices to uncomfortable levels, and the Philippines is caught in this price surge.
To address the concern, Vietnamese company Vingroup has launched a regional incentive program encouraging motorists to shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and adopt electric mobility through its EV brand VinFast. The program, dubbed “Trade Gas for Electric,” offers additional purchase discounts to customers who switch from fuel-fed vehicles to VinFast electric models.
According to Vingroup, the incentive program, which will run from March 11 to March 31, 2026, will be available in four of its key markets – Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Under the program, customers who purchase VinFast EVs during the promo period will receive an additional 3% discount. Those opting to purchase VinFast e-scooters will get an even higher 5% discount.
By offering added savings to customers transitioning to EV mobility, Vingroup hopes to ease the financial burden caused by rising fuel prices due to uncontrollable geopolitical situations. At the same time, Vingroup sees the initiative as an opportunity to promote cleaner, more sustainable means of mobility today and in the future.
Complementing the vehicle incentives is a temporary fare reduction for electric ride-hailing services operating within Vingroup’s green mobility ecosystem. Green GSM and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company announced that fares for its EV transport platforms will be reduced by 10% during the program period. This initiative is intended to provide commuters with more affordable and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional transportation amid rising fuel costs.
“The special Trade Gas for Electric program launched in March across four key markets is VinFast’s timely response to geopolitical volatility that is affecting socio-economic conditions in many countries around the world. VinFast, together with companies in Vingroup’s green ecosystem, aims to help reduce the impact of fuel prices on people’s daily lives while also lowering environmental pollution, shared Duong Thi Thu Trang, VinFast’s Deputy CEO of Global Sales.
Vingroup says the incentive program may be extended depending on future developments in global fuel prices and international economic conditions. By combining vehicle discounts with incentives for EV mobility services, Vingroup hopes to encourage more customers to switch from gas to electric, reduce fuel dependence, and help make roads cleaner worldwide.
Autocar’s Take
Programs that directly link rising fuel costs to EV adoption are becoming more common, and VinFat’s approach is apparently timely. By offering discounts to customers switching from gasoline-powered vehicles to electrified mobility, the company addresses one of the biggest concerns among buyers: upfront costs. Pairing this with reduced fares for electric ride-hailing services also expands the impact beyond vehicle owners to everyday commuters.
While the discounts themselves may seem modest, the message is clear. As fuel costs fluctuate globally, carmakers are positioning EVs not only as an environmental choice but also as a practical financial alternative for motorists.
