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Industry > Green

EV charging stations are now being launched at SM malls

Starting at SM Aura, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA

A welcome sight among those who are thinking of buying an electric vehicle. This is at SM Aura Premier. PHOTO BY BOTCHI SANTOS

You must have heard or read that electric cars are now officially welcome to be sold, used and maintained in the Philippines after the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act lapsed into law last April 15. This means commercial establishments have no choice but to accommodate vehicles that run on electric power.

This is a huge opportunity not only to serve customers who will shift to EVs (which will eventually be more affordable and more logical to use in the comings days), but also to earn from charging stations at their parking facilities. As you know, driving range is a primary concern among EV owners, and range anxiety is a real struggle.

Recognizing this opportunity, SM Supermalls is now getting ready for the influx of electric cars by putting up charging stations at SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, and SM City North EDSA.

The one thing that fuel station owners have been dreading. PHOTOS BY BOTCHI SANTOS

Word has it that the charging is “free” for now. We’re guessing that this is to help create buzz about these charging stations. Anyway, how many full-electric cars are out there running around? But don’t expect this service to remain complimentary for very long. SM is all about business, after all.

We were told that the stations use Type 2 plugs, which are fast chargers. They can supposedly top up your EV in four hours—enough time for a movie and a meal.

A reader sent us these pictures taken at SM City North EDSA. PHOTOS FROM KIT CABULLO

As our automotive industry goes along in its fledgling EV journey, we will undoubtedly see more and more of these charging stations. Pair them with cheaper price tags for the vehicles themselves and we think we will spot more electric cars in the first year of the newly minted EV law.



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist since July 1995. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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