On 26/1, Grab announced that drivers on its platform can rent VinFast or Dat Bike electric motorbikes through its partner, Aizen. This South Korean technology company operates an electric vehicle support ecosystem, connecting with 10 manufacturers across Southeast Asia.
Under this initiative, ride-hailing drivers can rent new vehicles for a monthly fee ranging from 1,5 to 2,2 million VND.
Pressure to reduce emissions is compelling ride-hailing platforms to electrify their fleets. Last year, be Group also launched a driver support center, collaborating with manufacturers like VinFast and BYD to offer preferential loan interest rates, rental options, or discounted purchase prices for electric vehicles.
 |
Ride-hailing drivers on a street in Hanoi, 10/2025. Photo: Minh Quan |
Companies are making this move as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City establish low emission zones (LEZ), set to take effect in mid-2026 and 2027, respectively. Hanoi's LEZ will completely ban petrol motorbikes used by ride-hailing platforms, while Ho Chi Minh City proposes banning motorbikes that do not meet Euro 2 standards during specific hours. Additionally, Hanoi is proposing that electric vehicles account for 20% of ride-hailing fleets by the end of this year, 50% before 2028, and a full conversion by 2030.
Beyond ride-hailing platforms, manufacturers such as Selex Motors and Honda are also proactively implementing rental policies to reach diverse customer groups.
Selex Motors offers rentals based on a base price and a per-kilometer charge for actual travel. For example, renting a Selex Motors vehicle for 3,000 km would incur a cost comprising over one million VND for the base price and nearly 1,5 million VND for the actual distance traveled.
Honda also introduced a rental policy last year, but it applies only to the CUV e, its most expensive electric motorbike model, priced at 65 million VND (including two batteries).
According to a Grab survey published last month, most drivers are hesitant to switch to electric vehicles. Among those surveyed, 76% cited the high purchase cost as a barrier. A quality electric motorbike capable of carrying passengers and goods over long distances costs between 30 and 40 million VND.
Ma Tuan Trong, CEO of Grab Vietnam, stated that the electric motorbike rental solution helps drivers access green vehicles without initial investment costs, providing them with time to accumulate funds for future purchases.
By the end of 2023, Vietnam had 6,3 million cars and 74 million motorbikes in circulation. Since 2022, the rate of vehicle conversion to electric power has accelerated. According to information from the Ministry of Construction, the number of electric cars increased by over 28 times in the past four years, reaching 270,000 vehicles.
Thuy Truong
