VinFast (VFS) unleashes ‘Wild’ EV pickup concept, announces plans to sell VF 3 mini SUV in US
Vietnamese EV automaker VinFast set the tone at the Las Vegas Convention Center this morning, detailing the first product announcement of day one in the West Hall. In addition to officially launching its line of Drgn Fly E-Bikes, VinFast shared plans to sell its ultra-compact VF 3 globally, and pulled the sheet off a pickup truck concept called the VF Wild.
VinFast has come a long way since it presented its lineup of Vietnamese-built EVs in front of the crowd at CES 2023 last year, with plenty of ups and downs. That is to be expected when you’re operating at the speed the VinGroup-owned automotive subsidiary operates. At times, it’s baffling.
The past year alone, we saw the automaker combine its US and Canadian business entities, broke ground on its first US production facility in North Carolina, and began initial deliveries in North America following several delays.
We saw the debut of the VF 5, reported billions in new funding to keep pushing forward, and even drove the VF 8 City Edition last year… before they were recalled. Since then, we’ve seen deliveries grow, and the young automaker turned some heads with the debut of an electric mini SUV called the VF 3 – originally priced under $20,000 – last June.
While the model was originally slotted for the Vietnamese market, interest from other regions sparked rumors that VinFast was considering selling the VF 3 in the US. Today, the automaker confirmed the VF 3 will now be sold as a global EV model, and was joined on stage by VinFast’s latest concept EV – the VF Wild pickup.
Oh, the Jabbawokeez were there too.
VinFast to sell VF 3 globally, debuts its first electric pickup
In front of a crowd at CES 2024, VinFast confirmed it will now sell the VF 3 mini SUV globally, just six months after unveiling the EV for Vietnam. Sitting atop 16-inch wheels, the VF 3 measures in at a modest L125.6 x W66.1 x H63.8 inches, designed with young city drivers in mind.
It also offers 125 miles of range on a single charge. Per VinFast Global’s Deputy CEO of Sales and Marketing, Ms. Tran Mai Hoa:
With the global launch of the VF 3, we are pleased to introduce a new electric car in our range. More importantly, we are providing a new companion for a generation of young drivers who value practicality alongside personality. The VF 3 aims to unbound the imagination of urban mobility that is not only sustainable but also accessible for everyone.
Details remain slim at this point, but other features in the VF 3 include a 10-inch infotainment screen fitted with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and a folding second-row allow for more cargo space (total capacity of 550 liters).
VinFast states that early reservations for the VF 3 will begin sometime in 2024, and those timings plus delivery windows will follow. Other pertinent details like pricing and warranty policies have also yet to be shared. As we previously reported, the initial pricing announced for Vietnam converted to approximately $20,000 – but that could certainly change.
Following the VF 3 announcement, VinFast introduced the Jabbawockeez dance crew, who shuffled over to what could perhaps be the star of the automaker’s show this morning, its new pickup concept. Check it out:
The VF Wild remains a concept but is described as VinFast as its first attempt at an electric pickup model and a design example of its goal to expand its product range to suit a wider audience. With dimensions of 209 inches (5324mm) in length and a width of 79 inches (1997mm), the VF Wild falls into the mid-size pickup category. It comes equipped with
The VF Wild remains a concept but is described as VinFast as its first attempt at an electric pickup model and a design example of its goal to expand its product range to suit a wider audience. With dimensions of 209 inches (5324mm) in length and a width of 79 inches (1997mm), the VF Wild falls into the mid-size pickup category.
It comes equipped with a bed length that can expand from 5- to 8-feet when its rear seats are automatically folded down automatically. Despite it remaining a concept, VinFast is hailing VF Wild as the largest bed in its segment. Ms. Tran Mai Hoa once again spoke:
We’re very proud to introduce the VF Wild concept, which encapsulates our mission to make sustainable, high-quality electric vehicles accessible to a broader market. This is not just a new product in our offering – it showcases our aspiration to venture into the fast-paced and thriving electric pickup truck market.
There are no immediate plans to bring the VF Wild to production, but someone at VinFast on the floor at CES told Electrek that the goal is to eventually deliver a production pickup evolved from today’s concept on display. Here’s a video of the unveiling. What do you guys think?
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Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.
Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Click here to learn more.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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Chevy EV owners in Texas who have Reliant as their electric utility can now charge for free at night with renewable energy.
Over 150 Chevrolet dealerships across Texas are now offering the Reliant Free Charge Nights plan to new EV buyers. With Free Charge Nights, customers can offset their charging costs by receiving credits for electricity used between 11 pm and 6 am. The plan is powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Rasesh Patel, president of NRG Consumer, says the plan is about making power personal: “We’re excited to help Chevrolet EV drivers offset the cost of charging their vehicle all while having access to a renewable electricity plan.”
This collaboration aims to make EV adoption more appealing by making charging cheaper and greener. GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, Aseem Kapur, emphasized that partnerships like this help build the ecosystem needed to support an all-electric future: “The Reliant Free Charge Nights plan is a great example of how an automaker and an energy company can work together to make EV adoption an easy decision.”
Existing Reliant customers can also sign up for the Free Charge Nights plan. To get started, Chevrolet EV owners need to designate their vehicle on the GM Energy Smart Charging Portal before enrolling in the plan.
Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, serves over 1.5 million customers in Texas, making it one of the largest electricity providers in the state.
Read more: Texas to get 1 GW AI-powered virtual power plant, enough to power 200,000 homes
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Texas is about to get a major power boost – a new AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP) delivering capacity equivalent to 200,000 homes during peak demand.
NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home to bring nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the Texas grid by 2035, aiming to make it more resilient while helping residents save on energy costs.
The new VPP will rely on hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats and other connected home devices, making use of AI technology provided by Google Cloud. These devices, like Vivint and Nest smart thermostats, will be offered to eligible customers at no cost. By automating HVAC adjustments, they help shift energy use to when electricity is cheaper, cleaner, and less strained.
NRG and Renew Home have big plans for the VPP. Starting in spring 2025, the companies plan to roll out the program across Texas, installing these smart thermostats in homes served by NRG’s retail electricity providers. Eventually, they plan to add home battery storage and EVs to expand the power plant’s capabilities.
Texas has faced record-breaking energy demands, with peak usage hitting 85 GW in 2023. As the state’s population grows and extreme weather becomes more frequent, VPPs like this one could play a key role in stabilizing the grid. VPPs aggregate a lot of small-scale energy resources, from smart thermostats to home batteries, and use them to help balance supply and demand during times of high stress on the grid.
This nearly 1 GW VPP will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas. NRG’s president of consumer operations, Rasesh Patel, calls it a “pivotal step” for improving customer experience while making Texas’ energy infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
In addition to Renew Home, NRG is working with Google Cloud to maximize the power plant’s effectiveness. Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools will help predict weather conditions, forecast renewable generation, and optimize energy usage, all of which will help make energy management smoother for both customers and the grid.
Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, said:
NRG’s commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future while also making electricity bills more affordable makes them an ideal partner for co-developing this unique VPP program.
This initiative raises the bar for future-proofing our electricity infrastructure and delivering cost savings to customers.
Read: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
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