Driving lessons with VinFast VF 7, saving 7-8 million/month compared to gasoline cars

From the practical experience with VinFast VF 7, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, a driving teacher in Bac Ninh, said that many students are excited because electric vehicles are easier to control and smoother than gasoline vehicles. Not only does it help him save 78 million VND per month, the electric C-SUV model is also a motivation for many students to get into the green car industry right after getting their degree.

Students try driving electric cars... go buy them

- Which luck brought you to VinFast VF 7?

I work as a driving teacher, and used to use gasoline cars. In May 2024, I switched to an electric vehicle using a VF 6. Within 1 year, the car ran 50,000 km and was very stable. After that, my family's needs also changed, I wanted to have more space to take my wife and children far away, and I myself wanted to get a car, so I chose VinFast VF 7. Up to now, my VF 7 has run about 20,000 km.

If used to serve the work of teaching driving, both vehicles are suitable and bring a very good experience to those in the vehicle.

- A driving teacher often uses small sedans or hatchbacks, few people have invested in C-size SUVs to teach like him. So how do students in the class feel when experiencing VF 7?

I have had some students experience both gasoline and electric cars, they rate electric cars as easier to travel than gasoline cars. The reason is that the electric motor gives an immediate feel of response to the acceleration, convenient for students to practice accelerating or overtaking on the highway.

Interestingly, 4 of my students have bought electric cars as their first car after receiving their driving licenses. One bought VF 6, the other bought VF 7 and the other bought VF 8. It can be said that studying on an electric vehicle helps them better understand the practical advantages of the vehicle.

- His job as a driving coach will probably have to move continuously. Is there any disadvantage in using electric vehicles?

No, I have a 7kW charging stations at home, if I charge at night, the morning will be full. When I go to teach, I charge once a day. When I give my students a break, I will go to the charging station, charging for 30 minutes, the battery will increase to about 80%, traveling comfortably.

Regarding the operating range, the VF 7 I use to actually run about 450km a day. Once I tried running from 100% battery charge to only 2% battery charge, the car could travel 496km. With the need to run a few hundred kilometers a day, I only need to charge quickly 1-2 times to be fine. Currently, charging station infrastructure is available everywhere, charging VinFast electric car batteries is very easy and convenient.

Reasonable cost, majority of pocket revenue

"In terms of economy, is investing in a new electric C-SUV model as a driving range really a reasonable choice, sir?

Certainly so. Previously, my gasoline car consumed 7-8 million VND in fuel per month, because my driving schedule was very tight and I moved constantly. Meanwhile, when switching to electric vehicles, the fuel cost is almost insignificant because they are currently getting free battery charging.

In addition, when students are tired, I usually give them a 10-15 minute break. For gasoline cars, leaving the car on the engine in one place makes many teachers "heartbroken", waste gas, and heat the engine. As for electric vehicles, leaving them unchanged for a long time will not affect them thanks to the camping regime.

- Regarding maintenance costs, how is the difference between gasoline and electric vehicles expressed?

For gasoline cars, I have to maintain them once every 5,000km, costing nearly 1 million VND. At large maintenance milestones such as 20,000km, 40,000km, the figure could be up to 6-7 million VND.

Meanwhile, with electric cars, I only maintain them after each 12,000km with a cost of about 600,000 VND. In addition, maintenance at large milestones such as 48,000km is not too different because wear and tear materials such as brake fluid and cooling water do not need to be replaced. Therefore, the maintenance cost of electric vehicles is much lower than that of gasoline vehicles.

- With those discounts, how long do you calculate it will take to recover the investment capital for the driving license plate?

It will be very fast. I calculate very simply: A driving lesson vehicle brings a fixed fee for each student. When using gasoline vehicles, that revenue must be divided into small amounts for gasoline, maintenance, wear and tear, so the actual profit received is low. After switching to electric vehicles, the two biggest spending are gasoline and maintenance as I analyzed above, which are almost insignificant. From there, the remainder becomes real interest.

Accumulating for a period of time, I realized that the money saved from not filling up gas and not maintaining it was equal to... a car.

- Thank you for these shares!