Electric vehicle sales have jumped in Southeast Asia as cost-conscious buyers have poured into dealerships looking to dodge the fuel price spikes.

Vinfast, listed on the Nasdaq, saw a 127pc surge in annual sales in Vietnam in March, reaching 27,600 cars.

About 40pc of cars sold in Vietnam in 2025 were electric, but the trend has been accelerating.

Outside Vietnam, Chinese manufacturers specialising in electric vehicles, particularly Tesla’s main rival BYD, are booming.

Exports of Chinese electric vehicles — for which Southeast Asia is a major market — doubled in March, compared to the same month last year across all manufacturers, according to the industry association CPCA.

Economic factors are at the forefront of the increased demand for greener vehicles.

Source: Dawn