An EV-EB! Electric vehicle owners meet up for the first time

For those active in the car club scene, an Eyeball, or EB, is a gathering of club members and their cars at a predetermined site to chat, eat, drink and talk cars. Enjoying the company of like minds is one of the cornerstones of enthusiast car ownership. And it is from gatherings like these that car clubs begin to take form.

Car clubs are usually established to share common experiences among owners of similar car models. So you typically have one car model forming the core bond among the club's members, like the Vios Club of the Philippines, Club Xpander of the Philippines, or Miata Club Philippines. 

Some car clubs are held together by the brand of their cars, so even if there is a mix of models and generations, the club is held together by the members' affinity to the car manufacturer. Take Honda Club of the Philippines, Toyota Auto Club of the Philippines, Club Mitsu, and Club Mazda Ph. 

But what if the bond is a cause or advocacy? This is what brought together around 50 electric vehicle enthusiasts last Sunday, November 27th, when the Electric Vehicle Owners of the Philippines conducted its first Eyeball.

The brainchild of hotelier and businessman Richard Cajucom, EVOP started as a Facebook group where EV owners and those interested in purchasing Evs can interact with one another. The group lets intenders, who are still on the fence regarding EVs, interact with EV owners who might reassure them that they'll be making the right choice. Something a typical car club would do as well. 

This group is unique, though, because of its broad brand and model base. 

During the EB, a variety of cars were brought to the venue. From the cheapest proper EV in the market today, the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, to the ultra-pricey Audi e-tron SUV, GT, and Porsche Taycan GTS. In between, there were a few BYD Dolphins, a BYD Song, a Hyundai Ioniq, a Bestune E05 MPV, and the Weltmeister W5, which WM Motor Philippines Vice President and General Manager Bob Shaw brought along himself. A Chery Tiggo 8 PRO Plug-in Hybrid EV and a Renault Twizy were also present, giving the group a more comprehensive vehicle portfolio.

"We're here to raise the awareness of everyone," shares Cajucom as he welcomed the attendees who showed up at the meet.  "A lot of ICE vehicle owners who came are just curious. They test-drove the units and realized they were missing the fun of having an EV.  "And the best thing about it, it's just purely exchanges of experiences, walang negosyong usapan," Cajucom says about Sunday's gathering.

ALSO READ: Read this before buying an EV

And it seems that this EV EB won't be the last as Cajucom is planning more in the near future. "We plan to come up with regular meet-ups that include potential EV owners so they can get first-hand info from us owners. We will be also inviting dealerships to display and show their units," he adds.

The recent announcement from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) that President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. is close to signing an executive order that will cut tariffs on imported CBU electric vehicles is a bit of a mixed bag for EV owners like Cajucom. Like others who now own an EV, Cajucom already committed to his purchase of a BYD Dolphin even at a higher price. "Sayang ang binayad ko. But on a brighter note, I hope it will spark the EV switch," he rationalizes. 

Despite the high prices of EVs at the moment, these men and women went out of their way to purchase EVs to prove a couple of points. One, they advocate greener, more sustainable motoring, which means the reduction of tailpipe emissions and less dependence on gas and diesel; and two, they'll do their bit to achieve this now. "We really believe EVs are great," Cajucom proclaims.

And that is yet another reason why this group differs from your average car club. For its members, electric vehicles are the future of mobility, and the larger the ownership base, the better it will be for all. EVOP is not about one model or one brand being superior to another, as most car clubs are founded upon. EVOP is about a new-age mindset and belief that will transform society and motoring as we know it.

Have you found a kindred spirit in EVOP?