The electric age…always in the future?

Is the age of the electrically-powered car upon us? If you’ve been following the Philippine motoring pages, you might think that the dawn of the electric vehicle is here. Just this year, Hyundai launched the Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric at the Manila International Auto Show, following the introduction of the Ioniq plug-in hybrid last year. Volvo launched three cars carrying its plug-in hybrid drivetrain: the XC60 compact SUV, S90 wagon, and XC90 midsize SUV. Most significantly, Toyota made the hybrid version of the Corolla the main attraction during the new sedan’s launch in September.

There’s no doubt that electrified vehicles are the future of motoring. Whether it’s a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV); plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV); or the battery electric vehicle (BEV), aka the “pure electric
vehicle,” automakers and consumers are gradually shifting towards this technology. But in the Philippines, it will take quite a while before EV passenger vehicles are common or even a compelling choice for car buyers. Given the country’s economic growth, environmental consciousness and infrastructure development, one study predicted that EVs would only become widespread in about 30 years.

At the 7th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit held last July, Hyundai displayed its BEV Kona Electric and Ioniq sedan. Hyundi Asia Resources Inc. president and CEO then stated, “Electric vehicles represent the future of Philippine mobility. It is clear that EVs have the potential to reduce our dependence on imported fuel, cut the nation’s
carbon emissions, and create jobs for Filipinos in battery manufacturing, to name one
example.”

HARI cited that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill 2137, or the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act that seeks to create a national framework addressing charging station infrastructure, EV investment incentives and registration procedures. ““E-vehicles Act will put the house in order… as all the government actors will now be collaborating, fixing the bureaucracy, and promoting EVs,” Gatchalian was quoted as saying.

Pricing is still at a premium compared to conventional vehicles. The Hyundai Kona is at P2.3 million. The brand’s Ioniq Hybrid is more attractively priced at P1.498 million. The new Corolla Hybrid is at P1.58 million, or nearly P400,000 more than the comparable conventional model. That difference would buy 7,400 liters of fuel, and would not be recouped until you drive about 125,000 km or the expected life of the Corolla.

The benefits are lower operating cost, and driving behavior that, in some ways, are superior to cars with internal combustion engines. Once you’ve driven a hybrid or electric vehicle, and sampled the abundant torque while enjoying the silence, you might not want to go back. We’re hoping that pricing and the charging facilities will provide good incentive to switch to electric power soon.