Electric Vehicle – Ewing VinFast of Plano

February 20, 2025February 11, 2025

What Is One-Pedal Driving in an EV and Why Does it Matter?

VinFast VF9 Driving in front of the Eiffel Tower

If you have driven a VinFast VF8 or VF9—or any other EV, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or some hybrid vehicles—you may have noticed a feature that allows you to drive with just the accelerator, meaning you rarely have to touch the brake pedal. What is this, what is it called, and why does it matter? Simply put, the feature is called one-pedal driving. Let’s take a look at why it’s good for electric cars and for you as an EV owner.

Two Pedals Become One

When you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you obviously have two main pedals: the gas (also known as the throttle or accelerator pedal) and the brake. While electric cars like the VinFast VF8 and VF9 still have a brake pedal, as soon as you let off the throttle pedal the vehicle immediately begins to brake. Why is this? It’s because of one-pedal driving. The electric motor causes the car to slow down in this case, because it’s technically not being used to generate thrust or acceleration but instead to reverse the torque direction of the battery system.

Regenerative Braking

When your VinFast starts to slow down when you let off the accelerator, the vehicle recovers some of that energy (normally lost in conventional friction braking systems) to be reused by the battery as extra charge. This is known as regenerative, or regen, braking. Regen braking can be adjusted from low to high via the 15.6-inch infotainment display. There’s also a Creep Mode. The more regen braking, the faster the car will slow down when you let off the accelerator pedal. When the system is set to the lowest regen braking, the car will coast like a normal gas-powered car. Oh, and yes, your brake lights come on even if you don’t touch the brake pedal. At any point when you have the regen braking turned up and you let off the throttle, the brake lights will illuminate.

Adjusting the Regen Braking

How much or how little regen braking you prefer is entirely up to you as the driver. A lot of first-time EV drivers will set the regen to the lowest setting to get used to it, because it can be alarming the first time you let off the gas pedal and the car starts slowing down instead of coasting. So, it’s best to gradually ease your way into getting comfortable with the system. You may want to turn the system down in stop-and-go traffic, where coasting could be more beneficial. Turning on Creep Mode will allow your VinFast to move forward slightly when you release the brake, like in a gas-powered car.

Do You Really Need a Brake Pedal?

If you use one-pedal driving, then what is the brake for? Well, you still need to apply the brakes in emergency stopping situations, because while the car will come to a complete stop when you let off the accelerator, it will not do so with the same urgency as slamming on the brakes in a panic situation.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

At Ewing VinFast of Plano, we have the best prices on dozens of new VinFast EVs and used cars. Our well-educated sales staff and finance department will happily assist you with your EV questions and needs. Our fantastic service department will ensure your vehicle stays in the best condition.

We look forward to serving you.

January 20, 2025January 14, 2025

First-Time Electric Car Driver? Here’s What You Need to Know

Some people find it quite daunting to go from one car to another, so it’s natural that some would even be worried about moving from a gas-powered car to an electric vehicle. After all, if you’ve only been used to pulling up to a gas station, pumping gas, and then driving home, it makes sense to be a little nervous about the adjustment to buying an all-electric VinFast VF8 or VF9. However, it won’t stay that way for long as you will get used to the new norms of an EV.

Wait A Second… Where Is the Shifter?

A VinFast doesn’t have a shifter. Instead, the VF8 has buttons for Park, Neutral, Reverse, and Drive where the shifter would be to make the transition easier and more comfortable. In most EVs, you just get in and either press a start/stop button or just put your foot on the accelerator pedal and go on about your day. VinFast, however, is committed to making the move to EV simple.

Immediate Torque

Once you start driving, you’ll notice an immediate surge of power and torque. Unlike an I.C.E. (internal combustion engine) car, there is no pause between pushing the gas pedal and the movement of the vehicle. So, be careful. Push that pedal a little softer for the first few hundred miles to allow yourself time to get used to the instant performance.

Range Anxiety

As you drive, though, you will start seeing your range go down. Like any car, your driving range is a product of how you drive. Drive more relaxed and don’t do a bunch of 0-60 launches, and you can count on a steady driving range. Treat every traffic light as a drag strip tree, and you will see that range fall quite a bit. The common term for watching your range drop as you drive and being worried about running out of charge before getting to a charger is called “range anxiety.” While gas stations are still more prominent, there are EV chargers nearly everywhere at this point, especially when traveling on the highway. Any time you input a destination into your navigation, your VinFast will route your trip to keep you close enough to chargers every step of the way. So, while range anxiety was a really big deal 10-15 years ago, it’s much less of an issue now.

Regenerative Braking

One of the beauties of having an electric car is using one-pedal driving, which means you rarely have to touch the brake pedal. Instead, because electricity is an on-off thing, once you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, no energy is used to move the car. The brake lights come on automatically, and the vehicle starts to slow down as if you were tapping the brakes. Whenever you take your foot off the throttle or push the brake pedal, you are using Regenerative Braking. Regenerative braking captures the energy lost while braking and sends it back to the vehicle’s battery system to recover the energy. Driving in stop-and-go traffic can actually help to increase your vehicle’s range.

A Quiet Place

The final point to make about what you need to get used to when owning your first EV is silence. EVs are much, much quieter than gas-powered cars because there is less noise being made within the vehicle. In fact, tire manufacturers and VinFast engineers have developed parts of the car to be less noisy so as not to disturb you in the cabin. So, you will notice less harsh road noises from the tires, less wind noise, and the like. But this could lead to you getting annoyed with how hard people breathe in the passenger seat… something you didn’t notice before you got an EV.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.

January 15, 2025January 14, 2025

VinFast VF9 vs Tesla Model X

When it comes to electric SUVs, Tesla is kind of the OG in this department with the Model X. It has enjoyed a number of years as the premier luxury electric SUV. However, that’s slowly but surely been changing since its debut in 2015. With vehicles like the VinFast VF9, the Model X is aging in comparison. Or is it? Let’s compare the two in this week’s versus.

Meet The Tesla Model X

Like the VinFast VF9, the Tesla Model X only has two flavors for buyers: the Model X and the Model X Plaid. Unlike the VF9, though, it is pricey. How pricey? Well, here’s where it gets weird: Tesla says the Model X has a starting price of $65,990… but then, in fine print, it mentions, “Includes any applicable federal tax credits and estimated gas savings.” So, that means you can add back the $7,500 federal tax credit to better understand the base price, but what are the estimated gas savings? That’s just deceptive practices. Car and Driver says the Model X starts from $81,630, while MotorTrend says it is priced from $79,990. Tesla says the Model X Plaid retails for $88,490, but the car magazines say $94,990 and $96,630, respectively. Short of calling or going to a Tesla dealer and asking, the price is anyone’s guess.

Powertrain Options

When choosing the base Model X, buyers will get a dual-motor and all-wheel drive with an output of 670 horsepower, according to Tesla, and 713 lb-ft of torque, according to Car and Driver (Tesla does not list torque for the standard model). However, the tri-motor Model X Plaid features a massive 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Those are wild power numbers, which makes sense since the Plaid can reach 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, while the standard model is a bit slower at 3.3 seconds. The EPA says that the standard Model X has 329 miles of range with 20-inch wheels. However, Tesla says this number drops to 322 when optioning the 22-inch wheels. The Plaid model has 314 miles of EPA-estimated range with the standard wheels, while the optional 22s will force that range down to about 300 miles.

Meet The Honest VF9

Finally, we come to the star of the evening, the VF9, which is available in either Eco or Plus trim levels and starts from $71,000. Eco models will give buyers a healthy 330-mile driving range, and Plus models offer 291 miles, which makes the VF9 about equal to the Model X. Like the Model X, all VF9 models come standard with all-wheel drive, and both also use dual-motor setups. The 123 kWh battery pack provides 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. This gives the VinFast plenty of oomph, with a claimed 0-60 of roughly 6.5 seconds. The VF9 comes standard with a Head-Up Display (HUD), something most other vehicles can’t attest to, so drivers never have to take their eyes off the road to see navigation information, range, music, and more.

Sony RIDEVU Is Amazing

Something that neither Tesla nor any other EV on the market can lay claim to is Sony RIDEVU. RIDEVU allows passengers in the VF9 to watch 2,000 different Sony-owned movies and TV shows either on the main infotainment screen when the vehicle is in park or on any device that is on the in-car WiFi. The 2025 VF9 offers drivers and passengers a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen display plus six standard USB-A ports with one 90-watt USB-C port, which means two per row. Buyers who opt for captain’s chairs will find two extra USB-A ports in the center console.

Safety First

VinFast believes in giving drivers the latest and best safety features as standard. No matter whether you get a VF8 or VF9, your VinFast comes standard with Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Centering Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Intelligent Speed Recognition, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Door Opening Warning, Front Automatic Emergency Braking, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Front Parking Assist, Rear Parking Assist, backup camera, Automatic High Beam, and a 360-degree Surround View Camera system. All VinFast VF9 models feature 11 airbags as standard safety equipment.

A Warranty vs Kind of a Warranty

When it comes to protecting your investment, VinFast goes all out. Every VinFast model comes with a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty, as well as a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The Tesla, however, only gets a 4-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and an 8-year, 150,000-mile battery warranty. No one’s really keeping score here, but that seems like a win for the VF9.

Which To Get…

Ultimately, which one should you choose, the Tesla Model X or the VinFast VF9? It’s your money, and you should spend it as you see fit. But, since you asked, when taking into consideration the odd pricing alone, the Tesla Model X doesn’t seem too honest. And then, once you look at the battery warranty, you notice it is 150,000 miles versus unlimited miles for the VF9. If you just want to show off at traffic lights, maybe the Tesla is the best car for your needs. However, if you want a vehicle that’s focused on quality over bragging rights, then perhaps the VinFast is the right car.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.

January 10, 2025January 14, 2025

How Does Fast Charging Affect Battery Health

New VinFast App for iPhone and Android Smart Phone

A battery is a battery, whether it’s in your phone, a camera, or a car. Like every other piece of technology, batteries will slowly degrade over time. It’s perfectly normal and natural. However, there are things you can do to mitigate battery degradation in devices. While it is rare, sometimes batteries can lose some of their abilities more quickly, which is why VinFast has the best battery warranty in the business with its 10-year, unlimited-mile warranty.

Learning How to Charge

Remember back in the day when cell phones were first coming out? It was recommended to charge them to full, then let them fully discharge on their own, and then from there, you could use them as normal. Well, now, especially with lithium-ion batteries in EVs and smartphones, it is recommended that batteries always charge between 20% and 80% most of the time. This is why car manufacturers like VinFast tell you the charging speed is between 20% and 70 or 80%.

Should You Be Worried About Battery Degradation?

It can be tricky to know the best practices because, simply put, you are just trying to live your life and drive your car as you need to. One thing people are starting to ask is how much your VinFast is affected by charging the car via a Level 3 DC fast charger. That charger carries the most kilowatts to charge cars more quickly. In the case of a VF8 or VF9, that’s about 25 minutes to get you up to 70%. But does it hurt your battery life? Well, yes… kind of. Should you worry about it? That depends.

Where is it Best to Charge?

No matter what, it is always easiest and cheapest to charge at home. So, say you use 50% of your battery range by driving to and from work every day. When you plug into your home charger, which hopefully is a VinFast Home charger, the car and the charger will communicate. This will get you up to 80% at a reasonable rate and then relax the charge on its way up to 100% so as not to put too much strain on the battery. It is important to note that your EV is very smart and works hard to protect the battery system in your car.

Some Studies Show Promising Results

Luckily for EV owners, some studies show that using fast chargers can have negligible degradation effects over time. That being said, if you do lots of long-distance traveling and utilize Level 3 chargers, not only will you be spending more money to charge your car, but over time, this could contribute to your battery health dwindling from 100% of capacity down to 90 or so percent after a couple of years of doing this. That means that your maximum range will drop by 10%.

When In Doubt, Charge at Home

There is still plenty of testing to be done to determine how batteries will last over time when charged more quickly and subjected to heat and stress. This is why it’s always best to charge your VinFast at home as much as possible.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.

December 5, 2024December 18, 2024

Some Things to Consider When Replacing Tires on Your VinFast

Tires are tires… they’re all the same, right? Very wrong. Sports cars should use tires specific to performance driving, while SUVs and trucks should use tires that can handle the loads of towing and hauling. An electric vehicle should utilize the tires that come with the vehicle. Why? Because the automaker, such as VinFast, has worked with tire companies to engineer tires that are best for road noise, ride quality, longevity, heavy loads, and efficiency.

Noise, Vibration, Harshness

Electric cars, like the VinFast VF8, have less overall harsh noises when driving than a standard gas-powered car. Since there is no engine, exhaust, etc., an EV is quieter. However, tires inherently invite harsh sounds into the cabin through vibrations. The reason being that they try to mellow out the driving surface for optimal comfort and performance. Because an EV is quiet, tire manufacturers have had to engineer tires that do not emit as many harsh tones into the vehicle’s cabin through new advancements in tire tech called Noise Reduction Technology. This typically involves tire companies insulating the tire so that it’s less hollow and/or different tread patterns, therefore reducing vibrations.

Should You Buy UHP Tires?

When looking for new tires for your VinFast, be careful of performance-oriented EV tires. While some electric vehicles benefit greatly from having tires that are called Ultra-High Performance (UHP), many EVs simply don’t need them, as they will destroy the efficiency of your car through extra rolling resistance. Most hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and non-performance-oriented EVs rely heavily on low-rolling-resistance tires to maximize the vehicle’s fuel mileage or electric range.

Always Look at the Load Rating

One thing to also keep in mind as you are looking for tires is that EVs are typically about 10% heavier than a gas-powered car, meaning that they can wear through tires more quickly. According to some data, an EV can go through tires up to 20% faster than a standard car, which is why you want to make sure you are buying the right tires for your car’s load rating. New High Load (HL) tires are becoming part of the new standard tires for certain EVs in order to handle the extra overall vehicle load, meaning its curb weight plus the amount of weight it can carry inside the vehicle, i.e., passengers, luggage, etc. The VF8 has a tire load index of 103, which means that each tire when filled to its max psi, can carry 1,929 lbs per tire. Time that by four, and you have tires that can handle 7,716 lbs. The VF8 weighs about 5,800 lbs, which means it can carry an extra 1,916 lbs worth of people and stuff. But be careful because that adds up quickly.

Which Tires Are Best for Your VinFast?

Ultimately, it is best to stick with the same tires you already have on your VinFast when looking for a new set of tires. That is unless you’re willing to spend a bunch of money going through different sets of tires every few months to know which ones you prefer.

Why You Should Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.