The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer stated that the first VinFast-produced electric buses are expected to operate in the US from Q1/2028.

Robert Hills, VinFast US electric bus business director, shared plans to introduce electric bus lines to the US market through the NexMove partnership at the APTA Transform & Expo 2026 exhibition in Chicago. Photo: VinFast

NexMove, a joint venture between Transportation Management Service and Zeem Solutions, will supply VinFast electric buses to transport operators in the US. This will be under a full-service model that integrates vehicles, charging systems, maintenance, and operation. This approach is expected to help business owners gradually transition to VinFast electric buses without building an entire system from scratch, ensuring a controlled deployment process.

Additionally, NexMove aims to maintain a stable operational experience, committing to a vehicle operational readiness of up to 97%, according to the partnership announcement. Before VinFast electric buses begin operation, NexMove will place demo vehicles at Zeem's electric vehicle charging stations for fleet operators and US public transport agencies to experience and evaluate them directly.

The company states that the electric buses have completed certification procedures, meeting circulation requirements, and are expected to be delivered to customers from 2028.

VinFast electric buses displayed at the exhibition, showcasing green mobility solutions for US urban transport. Photo: VinFast

Paul Gioupis, founder and chief executive officer of Zeem Solutions and co-founder of NexMove, stated that his team visited VinFast's electric bus manufacturing facilities in late July. He noted, "The electric bus is a product proven in practice, with operational experience accumulated by VinFast. We want to partner with VinFast to build manufacturing capabilities in the US, meet regulatory requirements, and help public transport operators quickly bring electric buses into service for passengers."

Brian Finnerty, chief executive officer of VinFast North America, said that introducing electric buses to the US market is an important step, affirming the company's long-term investment and development commitment in this market. He added, "VinFast continues to boost investment in the US, collaborating to bring electrified transport solutions closer to users and strengthening the foundation for VinFast to build a lasting presence in this leading global market."

Visitors learning about electric bus models at the exhibition. Photo: VinFast

VinFast developed its electric bus models to meet the demands of sustainable urban transport. The vehicles feature fast charging technology, LFP batteries, a corrosion protection solution, and a long-term warranty. They also include driver assistance systems that use cameras and radar for situation detection, providing real-time alerts and smart connectivity to maintain communication between the operating team and passengers.

According to the company, approximately 2,000 VinFast electric buses currently operate in Vietnam. In many major cities, VinFast has gradually completed its electric bus ecosystem, encompassing production, operation, and maintenance. This has allowed the company to accumulate practical experience in deploying and operating large-scale electric fleets.

Alongside the Southeast Asian market, VinFast is expanding its electric bus operations in Europe, with a distribution network established in key markets.

Introducing electric buses to the US market further expands VinFast's green transport ecosystem. This adds to its pure electric vehicle portfolio, warranty policies, flexible vehicle leasing programs, and expanding dealer network.

Quang Anh