Vietnam’s electric bus market is currently divided into two main regions: VinFast operates primarily in the Northern region and on selected urban routes in the south, serving residential connectivity within VinHomes developments. Meanwhile, the southern region is emerging as the core market for FUTA electric buses, manufactured by Kim Long Motor.
Turning back to the Southern region, Ho Chi Minh City has set a target to fully transition its entire bus fleet to electric and green energy by 2030 — 20 years ahead of the Government’s national timeline.
Specifically, the city plans to operate over 3,600 electric buses across 297 routes.
At present, the city has approximately 2,400 buses in operation, including:
- 627 electric buses, accounting for 26% of the fleet;
- 451 CNG buses, accounting for 18%;
- The remainder are diesel-powered buses.
The short-term opportunity for electric bus tire lines is significant; however, it also comes with the challenge of developing and supplying suitable tire products to meet the specific requirements of this vehicle segment.
Compared to internal combustion trucks, electric trucks place higher demands on tires due to increased vehicle weight from battery packs and higher torque output, which can accelerate tread wear. Optimized rolling resistance is essential to enhance energy efficiency and extend driving range. Additionally, reduced noise is a key factor in tire development, as electric drivetrains are quieter, making tire noise more noticeable.
“For electric buses, prioritizes uptime, as any downtime can disrupt routes and risk warnings from city authorities. Tire lifespan directly impacts cost per kilometer (CPK), making durability and performance crucial in tire selection and maintenance.” sharing from FT.
Electric buses run from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM before returning to depots for cleaning and charging—facilities that have not kept pace with the rapid EV growth, leaving no time for tire maintenance. Therefore, high tire durability and minimal sidewall contact are essential to reduce downtime.
Electric buses have heavy loads, low operating speeds, and frequent turning, which cause tire wear under these operating conditions. With thousands of buses running continuously, tasks like tire rotation and inflation are practically impossible.
Selecting the right tire line for electric buses operating in urban environments is essential for ensuring reliable operations and minimizing environmental impact.
EV Buses tire Vietnam market
Vietnam’s EV tire market includes global brands like Michelin, local manufacturers such as Casumina and Advance, and Taiwan’s Maxxis, while VinFast independently imports 255/70R22.5 PRINX tires from China for OE use.
Main sizes of EV Buses
- Kim Long: 215/75R17.5; 255/70R22.5
- Vinfast: 255/70R22.5; 275/70R22.5
After one year of EV bus operations in Vietnam, we’ve seen efficiency limitations due to the lack of tire patterns tailored for urban and electric applications—reflecting the rapid EV growth that supporting industries like tire manufacturing have yet to match.
Not only Incity but also EV.
