Vietnamese electric carmaker VinFast has made an unusually aggressive move in India’s still-developing EV market. It is offering to buy back its cars at up to 75 percent of the original price after 24 months. In a segment where resale value remains uncertain, that promise immediately changes the conversation.
Whether this will motivate faster EV adoption or simply serve as an aggressive market-entry tactic remains to be seen. But it is not a small statement.
The residual value structure
VinFast’s published buyback table lays out the following:
|
Duration |
Quota |
|
24 months |
75 percent |
|
36 months |
70 percent |
|
48 months |
65 percent |
|
60 months |
55 percent |
As one would expect, everything comes with its own terms and conditions. The car must be free of any accidental damage and have no issues affecting the battery or the EV's structure, and annual usage is limited to 20,000km. Before any cheque is issued, VinFast or an appointed third-party evaluator will inspect the EV and sign off on its condition.
If the ownership duration sits between two defined time frames, the residual value shifts to the next applicable slab and as with most such programmes, the final call will always rest with the brand.
Putting the numbers into context
The VF 6 is priced from Rs 16.49 lakh. Under a 75 percent residual value after two years, that would equate to roughly Rs 12.36 lakh, subject to terms. The larger VF 7 starts at Rs 20.89 lakh, implying a potential buyback of about Rs 15.66 lakh. In India, EV resale trends are still forming and those are assertive figures.
The wider strategy
VinFast entered India in September 2025 with the VF 6 and VF 7, both assembled at its Thoothukudi plant in Tamil Nadu. The VF 6 uses a 59.6kWh battery offering up to 468km of ARAI-certified range, with outputs up to 201bhp and 310Nm.
The VF 7 offers multiple configurations, including a 70.8kWh version with up to 532km of range. The dual motor variant produces 349bhp and 500Nm, with a claimed 0 to 100 kmph time of 5.8 seconds.
Both models were launched with free charging until July 2028, three years of complimentary maintenance and a 10-year or 2,00,000 km warranty. The buyback scheme now adds a financial safety net to that ownership package.
Calculated faith
Residual value protection directly addresses one of the biggest hesitations around EV ownership. Battery life and long-term depreciation are real concerns. By underwriting resale, VinFast is attempting to neutralise that uncertainty. It is a calculated show of confidence. The market will decide whether it translates into volumes.
