BYD Philippines Eyes EV Growth, Seeks Government Support for Charging Infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines — BYD Cars Philippines Inc. expects to see continued growth in electrified vehicles in the country, but noted that government support is needed for faster charging infrastructure rollout. Bob Palanca, managing director of BYD Cars Philippines, told reporters during the launch of the Seal 5 sedan and Atto 2 sports utility vehicle, that he expects the government’s push for electrified vehicles to support continued growth in the segment. “In the SONA (State of the Nation Address), the President is actually encouraging the market. So that’s a positive feedback for us who are in the NEV (new energy vehicle) space,” he said. Palanca said the high fuel prices this year have driven a spike in NEV sales, which also benefited BYD Cars Philippines. ACMobility CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said that as of June, NEVs captured a 22.3-percent share of all new vehicle sales in the Philippine market. He said this is “a clear sign that more and more Filipinos are ready to make the switch to a smarter, more efficient way of moving.” The Atto 2 and the new Seal 5 will expand BYD Cars Philippines’ lineup as its aims to encourage Filipinos to switch to electrified mobility. “At ACMobility, we’ve always been focused on making electric mobility more accessible. With practical, accessible vehicles like these, making the switch is now easier than ever,” Zobel said. ACMobility, which serves as the Ayala Group’s mobility arm, distributes BYD passenger cars in the Philippines. To support electrified vehicles, ACMobility aims to increase its charging points to over 1,000 by the end of the year. At present, ACMobility’s charging network covers over 200 locations nationwide from the north to south of the archipelago. While ACMobility is expanding its charging network, Palanca emphasized the importance of government’s role in expanding the EV charging infrastructure. “I think the government should be able to assist companies like AC Mobility in fast-tracking our permitting with certain LGUs (local government units) that we set up the charging infrastructure,” he said.