VinFast’s VF 8 Challenges Assumptions on EV Trade‑Offs

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MARKHAM, Ontario — As Canada races toward its all‑electric 2035 goal, the VinFast VF 8 positions itself to win over drivers torn between ambition, affordability and practicality—showing that going green can mean gaining more, not giving up. The clock is ticking toward 2035, when Canada plans to require all new cars to run on electricity. Yet two-thirds of Canadians say this goal is unrealistic¹, with paused rebates and tariff disputes adding to the feeling that drivers shoulder the risks of this transition.

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Surveys suggest that interest in electric vehicles (EVs) persists, provided affordability and practicality come first. A June survey found that 45 percent of Canadians are considering an EV for their next purchase². And J.D. Power’s 2025 Canada Electric Vehicle Consideration Study shows a steady 28 percent of new-vehicle shoppers “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider an EV, down just one point from 2024 despite the suspension of the federal Incentives for Zero Emissions Vehicles program.

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With early adopters largely accounted for, the next wave of buyers represents the mass market, often driven more by technology than ideology. The trend is prevalent particularly in younger generations: 54 percent of Millennials and 51 percent of Generation Z say their next car will likely be electric³. Growing up with smartphones, they likely expect vehicles that update overnight, store preferences and integrate features like voice-controlled heated steering wheels.

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Of course, concerns persist. For drivers without home charging, 74 % say reliable public fast-charging is a deciding factor in any future EV purchase⁴. Price is another hurdle: the average EV in Canada costs about C$73,000, compared to C$66,000 for a new ICE vehicle, according to the latest available Canadian Black Book data⁵.

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An Upgrade Without Compromise

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The VF 8, a mid-size SUV from EV maker VinFast—the top-selling car brand in Vietnam in 2024—offers an alternative. Many Canadians still fear that going electric requires compromise. The VF 8 aims to counter that perception by combining range, performance and everyday usability at a lower price.

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Starting at C$53,600, roughly C$20,000 below the Canadian EV average, it delivers up to 412 kilometers per charge, 402 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Its 15.6-inch touchscreen integrates entertainment, Alexa-powered voice commands and direct Spotify streaming. Owners can pre-condition the cabin or schedule charging via an app. Safety features, including 11 airbags, a head-up display and an automatic emergency alert system, come standard.

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Charging access is integrated into ownership. VinFast’s app connects drivers to more than 100,000 public charging stations across North America and manages service appointments and roadside assistance, a level of coverage the company calls the most comprehensive among EV brands.

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As policy debates continue, the shift to EVs may be driven less by mandates than by vehicles like the VF 8 that deliver clear value. Many buyers arrive expecting compromises but leave with a car priced below the EV average, equipped with familiar technology and meeting everyday needs for comfort and peace of mind. That change in expectation could matter more than any government deadline.

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