Yamaha launches free battery swap program in Ho Chi Minh City

The Japanese manufacturer confirmed that the pilot program is currently available only in Ho Chi Minh City and benefits owners of the Neo’s, the only electric scooter officially distributed by the company in the Vietnamese market.

Under the scheme, Yamaha will issue an electric vehicle membership card to two groups of customers.

The first group includes riders who purchased the Neo’s before April 1, 2026, while the second group consists of buyers who acquire the scooter between April 1 and March 31, 2027.

While Yamaha operates more than 40 dealerships across Ho Chi Minh City, the battery swap and loan service is currently available at only 19 locations.

Outside the city, Neo’s owners who wish to swap or borrow batteries will still have to pay a service fee.

Beyond the battery-related program, Yamaha is offering operational support services for riders such as emergency rescue, tire repair, and scooter transport free of charge.

The offerings are widely seen as a strategic effort by Yamaha to strengthen its competitiveness against other electric vehicle brands in Vietnam.

Yamaha becomes the third manufacturer in the country to introduce a battery swapping model, following VinFast and Selex Motors.

Among them, VinFast currently operates the most extensive system, using a battery subscription model supported by a growing network of swapping stations across major cities.

Meanwhile, Selex Motors focuses primarily on electric motorcycles designed for delivery and logistics services.

Another major player, Honda, has also announced plans to enter the battery swapping ecosystem and is expected to begin rolling out services starting in 2026.

Manufacturers are increasingly recognizing that the long-term success of electric two-wheelers depends not only on the vehicles themselves but also on the supporting energy infrastructure.

For consumers, battery swapping offers a significant advantage over conventional charging.

Replacing a battery typically takes only a few minutes, roughly comparable to refueling a gasoline-powered motorcycle, making it a practical solution for daily commuting.

Currently, the Yamaha Neo's remains the only electric motorcycle officially sold by Yamaha in Vietnam.

The scooter uses a removable battery stored under the seat, offering a maximum range of about 72 kilometers per battery pack.

When it debuted in late 2022, the model was listed at around VND50 million (US$1,900).

However, thanks to ongoing promotions, customers can now purchase a new Neo’s for roughly VND35 million ($1,330).