Electric motorbikes accelerate, becoming a new driving force of the market
Vietnam's motorcycle market continues to maintain its scale among the largest in the world. In the first 5 months of 2026, motorcycle sales reached about 1.57 million units, an increase of 20% compared to the same period last year, bringing Vietnam to continue to maintain its position as the fourth largest motorcycle market in the world.
The highlight of this period is the strong breakthrough of electric motorbikes. Sales in this segment increased by 84.5%, the highest increase in the world, helping Vietnam rise to become the third largest electric motorbike market globally, only after China and India.
Growth momentum is driven by many factors at the same time. If consumers were previously hesitant about travel distance or battery charging capacity, now these barriers are gradually being removed thanks to improved battery technology and increasingly complete infrastructure serving electric vehicles.
New generation car lines using lithium-ion batteries or LFP batteries have a longer lifespan, are safer and provide stable operation. Besides car models using fixed batteries, the market also has many products using detachable batteries, allowing users to charge at home or exchange batteries at service points, significantly increasing convenience in the usage process.
In parallel with that, the selling price of electric motorbikes is increasingly competitive, the dealer network is expanded, while the system of charging stations and battery exchange cabinets is continuously invested in. Along with the orientation of green transportation development, the trend of limiting vehicles using internal combustion engines in large cities and the pressure from fuel costs, electric motorbikes are gradually becoming the choice of many customer groups.
Domestic enterprises create a foundation for new industries
In the overall growth picture of the market, electric vehicle manufacturers are playing an increasingly important role.
VinFast is currently the brand that recorded the most outstanding growth rate when electric motorbike sales in the first 5 months of the year increased by 149.1% compared to the same period. The enterprise has also just launched its 1 millionth electric motorbike, marking a notable milestone after nearly 8 years since the first Klara model was launched at the end of 2018.
Currently, VinFast is selling 13 models of cars from popular to high-end, suitable for all customer segments. Besides the production facility in Hai Phong, the enterprise is investing in an additional factory in Vung Ang Economic Zone (Ha Tinh), in order to improve capacity to meet domestic demand and expand export activities.
Not only VinFast, many other businesses such as Yadea, Dat Bike or Selex Motors are also increasing investment, expanding distribution systems and developing products. The participation of many businesses creates a positive competitive environment, contributing to promoting technological innovation and diversifying choices for consumers.
However, electric motorbikes still have a lot of development potential. According to forecasts by functional agencies, electric motorbike sales in Vietnam in 2026 may exceed 1 million units. Meanwhile, the number of new electric motorbikes in circulation is about 3 million units, still quite modest compared to more than 70 million motorbikes circulating nationwide. This shows that the potential for switching from gasoline to electric vehicles is still very large in the coming years.
According to the Director of Duc Viet Technology Company - Mr. Nguyen Minh Dong, electric motorbikes need to be seen not only as a means of transport but also as the foundation for forming a new economic sector. When this industry develops, the value created does not stop at car production but also spreads to fields such as batteries, components, software, charging infrastructure, logistics, after-sales services and exports.
With appropriate incentive mechanisms, Vietnam can build a competitive electric motorcycle production ecosystem in the region, participating more deeply in the global supply chain. This is also an opportunity to promote green growth, improve technological and energy self-sufficiency and national industrial production capacity.
