VinFast’s small VF 3 electric SUV is finding a new role in public service as police agencies in the Philippines and Indonesia begin using the model for patrol and traffic work. In Cavite, the Municipality of Noveleta has deployed VF 3 units as electric police patrol vehicles. The local government said the vehicles will support patrol operations while helping lower fuel use and operating costs.

Noveleta is also positioning the deployment as part of its wider shift toward cleaner transport. The municipality is the first in CALABARZON to adopt electric vehicle mobility targets, according to VinFast.

The initial VF 3 patrol units were supplied through VinFast Marikina and Xentro. More units are expected to follow.

The Noveleta deployment shows how electric vehicles are starting to move beyond private ownership in the Philippines. Local governments are now looking at EVs for community patrols, municipal services and daily fleet use, where lower running costs can make a difference.

In Indonesia, the VF 3 has been given a more specialized assignment.

The National Traffic Police Corps recently introduced its Precision Drone Patrol ETLE program, which uses drones to monitor road conditions and spot traffic violations. A modified VinFast VF 3 was chosen as a mobile support vehicle for the drone equipment.

The rear section of the vehicle was changed to carry storage and deployment equipment. This allows officers to move drones between locations and operate from areas where a larger vehicle may have trouble entering.

The VF 3’s size appears to be one of its strongest points for this type of work. It measures 3,190 millimeters long, 1,679 millimeters wide and 1,652 millimeters high. It is small enough for tight streets, crowded areas and busy public spaces.

It also sits on 16-inch wheels and has 175 millimeters of ground clearance. Those figures give it more height than a typical small city car, which helps on uneven roads and flooded or broken sections.

The VF 3 has a driving range of up to 215 kilometers on a full charge. Its battery can recharge from 10 percent to 70 percent in about 36 minutes with DC fast charging.

For police patrols, the range is enough for short urban routes and daily community rounds. For municipal fleets, the charging time also reduces vehicle downtime.

The same qualities that suit the VF 3 for city use also make it useful for public service. It is compact, cheaper to run than a gasoline vehicle and easier to park in tight areas. It also produces no tailpipe emissions.

VinFast said the VF 3 was first built for school runs, errands and daily commutes. Its use by police agencies adds another layer to the model’s growing presence in Southeast Asia.

The VF 3 has also become one of VinFast’s strongest-selling models in Vietnam. In May 2026, the company delivered 4,770 VF 3 units. Deliveries reached 20,231 units in the first five months of the year.

VinFast has held the top-selling automotive brand position in Vietnam for 20 straight months, with the VF 3 among the key contributors to that run.

In the Philippines, the model is being pitched as an affordable entry point into electric motoring. It comes with a seven-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and a 10-year battery warranty.

The VF 3 also benefits from VinFast’s service network and the V-Green charging program. The free charging offer helps bring down day-to-day ownership costs.

With units now used for patrols in Cavite and drone support in Indonesia, the VF 3 is no longer just a small urban EV. It is also becoming a practical tool for agencies that need a low-cost vehicle for tight city routes and community work.