GCPF supports manufacturing of Vietnam’s first E-Bus fleet and EV charging network.

GCPF, along with co-investors, has provided long-term debt financing amounting to USD 135 million to VinFast Trading and Production Joint Stock Company (VinFast) for manufacturing the first e-bus fleet and electric vehicle (EV) charging station network in Vietnam.

Co-investors include the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as mandated lead arranger, Export Finance Australia, the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation and Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG.

The climate financing package will empower VinFast to upscale its manufacturing of Vietnam’s first fully electric public transport bus fleet and first national EV charging network. The climate financing is certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative, a scientifically based standard for labelling bonds, loans and other debt instruments which contribute to addressing climate change.

ADB led the transaction and provided a USD 20 million loan as well as a USD 28 million concessional financing and grants by ADB managed trust funds. GCPF participated as a parallel loan for a USD 17 million facility, other parallel loans were provided by Export Finance Australia, the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation and Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG for USD 70 million.

Vietnam’s transport sector accounts for 18% of its annual greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonizing this sector through options like e-mobility, will contribute greatly to the country’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The financing will support Vietnam’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and to expand high-tech manufacturing industries. VinFast will manufacture and sell e-buses to VinBus to operate them as part of the public transport system in Vietnam. Furthermore, VinFast will expand its network of EV charging stations in Vietnam to drive development of EV support systems and grow the EV ecosystem in Vietnam.

Antonia Schaeli, Deputy Head of Direct Investments, Climate Finance at responsAbility: “This transaction with VinFast presents a tangible contribution towards green mass transportation in Vietnam, advancing its transition to a low carbon economy. Together with ADB and co-lenders, we are honoured to support VinFast on its path to implementing smart mobility solutions. We see this as a great example of how GCPF and our other climate funds can provide debt financing across the electric mobility value chain in emerging markets.”

About VinFast Trading and Production Joint Stock Company (VinFast)

Established in 2017, VinFast is Vietnam’s first domestic car company and e-vehicle manufacturer. VinFast is a subsidiary of Vingroup Joint Stock Company, Vietnam’s largest private enterprise and the largest listed company in Vietnam. VinFast develops e-cars for the domestic and international market and is investing in a nationwide network of fast-charging units to support its e-vehicle expansion in Vietnam.

About the Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF)

The Global Climate Partnership Fund is an investment company under Luxembourg law. It was established by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), KfW Entwicklungsbank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2009 as a public-private partnership. Junior catalytic capital is provided by BMU, the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) of the UK, Denmark’s development cooperation (Danida). Other private and public investors include ASN Bank, Ärzteversorgung Westfalen-Lippe, FMO, OeEB, Sparkasse Bremen, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Heilsarmee.

About responsAbility Investments AG

responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact investor focused on private debt and private equity across emerging markets. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Zurich, it has invested over USD 12 billion since inception and has a strong performance track record. With over 200 employees, collaborating from seven offices, the company invests across three distinctive themes to directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. responsAbility is part of M&G plc, the international savings and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.