It remains unclear whether VinFast will develop REEV technology internally or license it.Vietnamese electric carmaker VinFast is considering adding small petrol-powered engines to some of its electric vehicles to extend driving range, marking a potential shift away from its pure-electric strategy, according to people familiar with the matter and recent job postings, news agency Reuters reported.
Three sources told Reuters that the company is evaluating range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) that use a small internal combustion engine solely to recharge the battery. The discussions come as the Nasdaq-listed automaker seeks to improve sales and reduce mounting losses that have put pressure on its parent company, Vietnam’s largest listed conglomerate, Vingroup.
VF9 SUV under review for range-extender tech
One source said a VinFast team began assessing in November whether its flagship VF9 SUV—the brand’s most expensive model—could be reconfigured into a REEV. Another source said VinFast was also weighing hybrid variants. All three described the plans as preliminary.
VinFast has posted at least three LinkedIn job openings for REEV specialists, indicating that the company is actively exploring the technology.
Responding to Reuters, Vingroup said VinFast would “not overlook opportunities to research and develop new products that align with customer preferences, needs, and market trends,” but did not confirm details.
Partial shift from its all-electric roadmap
VinFast ended production of petrol-powered cars in 2022 and committed to selling only zero-emission vehicles in leading markets by 2035 and globally by 2040 as part of the COP26 green transition pledge. REEVs, however, produce some emissions, though less than traditional hybrids, since their petrol engine does not drive the wheels.
It remains unclear whether VinFast will develop REEV technology internally or license it.
VinFast produced about a dozen mostly compact EV models and sold around 104,000 units in Vietnam in the first nine months of the year—accounting for nearly 95 per cent of its global sales. But its premium VF9 SUV accounts for only about 1 per cent of domestic volumes, and exports to the US and Canada remain limited.
The company’s technological capabilities also lag major rivals. According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, VinFast held fewer than 80 patents in 2023, compared with Tesla’s 347 patent families and the thousands held by global automakers.
Competitive and regulatory backdrop
Chinese EV makers such as Li Auto and Leapmotor already offer REEVs, while legacy manufacturers are similarly exploring petrol-assisted EV options. Vietnam, battling severe air pollution, plans to begin restricting petrol-powered vehicles, including a ban on petrol motorbikes in central Hanoi from mid-2026.
“There is no change to our overall strategy,” Vingroup said, adding that formal announcements would follow “at the appropriate time.”
Analysts see the shift to REEVs helping VinFast appeal to customers seeking more extended range without relying entirely on charging networks, even as Vingroup continues to rapidly expand Vietnam’s EV charging infrastructure.
