VinFast, Petrolimex ink EV charging station deal

Automaker VinFast and Petrolimex have kicked off a partnership that will build electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the fuel distributor’s retail outlets across Vietnam.

The two companies signed an agreement in Hanoi on Friday to carry out the new partnership, but the number of charging stations was not disclosed.

The deal will also allow Petrolimex, which holds roughly 50% of the country's gasoline retail market share, to build new outlets at the nationwide sites under the Vingroup roof.

Petrolimex currently possesses around 5,500 outlets, with some 2,700 being its own stations and 2,800 belonging to authorized or franchised dealers.

Last year, Vingroup subsidiary VinFast started building and installing EV charging stations at apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping centers, supermarkets, bus stations, public parking lots, schools, and some other venues across the country.

This aims at serving the manufacturer’s strategic shift to EVs. The domestic carmaker had earlier announced it would put an end to making gasoline-fueled cars by the end of 2022.

VinFast said it built and installed more than 40,000 charging poles across Vietnam last year.