The future of electromobility is happening now, according to PGA Cars, the partner of Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche automobiles in the Philippines.
The distributor exhibited fully electric Porsche and Audi cars at Power Plant Mall in Makati City on May 27–29, and will do so again June 3–5, as part of its FutureNow program, which aims to assist the country’s transition to sustainable, premium electric vehicles (EVs).
The Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron SUV, and Audi e-tron GT will take center stage next weekend to showcase the beginning of the local EV ecosystem.
“With these models, we are leading the Philippines’ transition to sustainable premium electric mobility,” said Christopher Chan, managing director of Audi Philippines, at the opening of the exhibition on May 27.
By 2025, Audi and Porsche want EVs to make up half of their global sales.
In the Philippines, PGA Cars initially invested P300 million in its FutureNow program for the construction of facilities, manufacturer-approved equipment, and personnel training for the requirements and safety standards of EVs.
LEADING THE CHARGE The vision for a fully electric automotive industry is supported by multiple stakeholders, said William Angsiy, managing director of Porsche Philippines.
He pointed out that mall owners, property developers, and fuel companies are setting up public charging stations.
“By doing this, we are opening possibilities for consumers and stakeholders to embrace the sustainable way to use resources,” he said.
This April, SM Supermalls launched free, in-mall charging stations for electric vehicles in SM Aura in Taguig City, SM North Edsa in Quezon City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.
Meanwhile, Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), was put in place this year by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to provide a framework for the manufacturing and adoption of EVs.
“It’s only a matter of time until EVs become more widespread. It just so happens that luxury brands like us are bringing more of them here first,” Mr. Angsiy told BusinessWorld.
Both the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron range come with portable charging systems that can be plugged into either a household or a three-phase industrial outlet.
The cars also have available alternating current (AC) charging units that can be installed at homes. Owners can either charge overnight or whenever they can — and with more charging stations being built, wherever they can.
The Electric Vehicle Association (EVAP) said last year that there were 12,965 registered EVs from 2010 to 2020, only a small fraction of which are personal vehicles. — Brontë H. Lacsamana