Brussels (VNA) – Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has made a strong impression at Busworld Europe 2025, the world’s largest trade fair for the bus and coach industry, which is being held in Brussels, Belgium, from October 4–9.
Marking its debut at the event, VinFast introduced two electric bus models – EB8 and EB12 – designed for European urban transport, while announcing new contracts to supply vehicles to the Belgian market.
The company’s presence among hundreds of global automakers underscored Vietnam’s growing role in the global electric mobility industry and highlighted the worldwide shift toward sustainable, zero-emission public transport.
This year’s Busworld Europe brought together 550 companies from 40 countries, the largest edition in its 25-year history. Turkey led with 107 exhibitors, followed by China with 85 and Germany with 68, reflecting Asia’s rising influence in the global bus manufacturing sector. Industry experts noted that production has increasingly moved outside the European Union, with Turkey emerging as a major hub hosting plants of global brands such as Mercedes-Benz and MAN.
A standout trend at the exhibition was the dominance of electric and hybrid vehicles. Nearly every booth showcased clean mobility solutions, signaling the industry’s rapid transformation. Among them, VinFast’s EB8 and EB12 drew widespread attention for their flexible operation, zero emissions, and cost efficiency.
Cyril Carpenter, Business Manager at Mona Energy, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters that the transition to electric buses is now irreversible, driven by both environmental and economic factors.
Electric buses not only reduce emissions but also make financial sense, he said, noting that their lower operating costs help offset higher upfront investments.
The exhibition also highlighted the growing interest in “retrofit” solutions – converting diesel buses to electric – as a cost-effective transitional approach, as well as advancements in hydrogen fuel technologies for long-distance routes. However, experts pointed out that challenges remain, particularly in ensuring operational safety and upgrading power infrastructure to meet increasing charging demands./.
