Usually, we report on what’s happening at auto shows, but in a rare case this week, we are making an exception and taking a look at what is happening at a bus show.
The EB 8 does not comply with all European standards.
The EB 8 can carry up to 60 passengers.
The EB 12, which will hit European roads, has a capacity of 90 passengers.
Actually, one thing caught everyone’s attention at Busworld, which is taking place in Brussels, Belgium, from October 4 to 9. Vietnamese manufacturer VinFast presented not one, but two electric buses, one of which is set to hit the European market.
VinFast is gaining attention here, as the automaker is eager to break into the North American market, a task that is no easy feat. The exercise has become even more complicated since the change of leadership in the White House, where electric vehicles are no longer a priority, to put it politely.
However, VinFast still has plans to build a factory in Georgia, USA. The goal is long-term, of course.
Here in Canada, we’re seeing more and more VF 8 SUVs on the road, while the VF 9 is slowly making its appearance. The company also plans to offer the VF 3, VF 6, and VF 7. In short, we’re closely following the progress of this brand, whose ambitions are well known.
2025 VinFast VF 8 Plus Review: Colourful, Capable… and Complicated
Two buses
At the Busworld trade show, VinFast unveiled the EB 8 and EB 12. Don’t look for any secrets behind the names: EB stands for Electric Bus. The numbers indicate the length of the models, eight and twelve meters.
And what do these models have in store for the public?
In fact, each bus offers a full range of advanced driver assistance systems and a host of safety features to ensure a reassuring and reliable experience for passengers, drivers, and other road users.
The goal is clearly to gain everyone’s trust.
Let’s take a closer look at what each model has to offer.
EB 8
The EB 8 features a distinctive design and remains compact enough for a bus. It can still accommodate up to 60 passengers. A 360 kWh Gotion LFP battery powers it, mounted both on the roof and in the floor structure. This approach maximizes interior space, but increases the entry height, which means that the EB 8 does not meet European certification standards. It will therefore be reserved for international markets where regulations are more flexible.
VinFast announces a range of at least 300 km for this vehicle, which is interesting considering its very urban purpose.
EB 12
The EB 12 is a model specifically developed for Europe, in full compliance with UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) and CE (Conformité Européenne) standards.
It is designed to integrate seamlessly with the continent’s existing charging infrastructure, and VinFast plans to collaborate with local companies to supply and support the charging system.
The company has also gone a step further, for example, by integrating European components to facilitate maintenance (and reduce costs). Two 125 kW motors provide propulsion.
The EB 12 also benefits from a full range of safety systems. Drivers will also be able to enjoy a head-up display, a rare feature in this category.
The vehicle can carry up to 90 passengers.
As for the batteries, their total capacity is 422 kWh, which will enable the bus to offer a range of 400 km, according to the SORT2 cycle, a standard used to measure the range of buses.
VinFast promises that after eight years of use, the battery capacity will be at least 80%. Fast charging via a standard CCS2 connector, at a speed of up to 140 kW, will enable a full recharge in just two to three hours.
The manufacturer also offers a five-year warranty on its vehicle, which will help keep the total cost of ownership competitive.
VinFast President Le Thi Thu Thuy had this to say about the model’s presentation at Busworld:
“Europe and VinFast share the same vision of a green and sustainable future. The launch of our VinFast electric bus models at Busworld is a strong sign of VinFast’s long-term commitment.”
Obviously, these models will not be crossing the Atlantic, but let’s say it would have been interesting, if only to shake up an industry that sorely needs it. It will also be interesting to see how they will influence the company’s financial health.
