Electrifying the market soon! EVs to watch out for in the Philippines

Electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly becoming mainstream in the Philippine market as more and more brands are bringing in their own examples.

Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s executive order, EVs have become easier to import thanks to zero duties that make these vehicles more affordable to prospective car buyers.

Republic Act 11697 or the "Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act" also provides non-fiscal incentives for EV buyers, along with spurring investment into EV infrastructure, with more businesses and locations opening charging stations.

As the year is about to end, here are a few electric vehicles you want to watch out for as they are slated to enter the Philippine market very soon. Not all cars on this list have prices, as they have not officially launched. 

MG ZS EV

It's no secret that SAIC Motors, the Chinese mother company of MG, has officially taken distributorship of the brand in the Philippine market.

With its takeover, the country can now easily access the latest and greatest offerings from the British heritage brand.

SAIC wants to shake things up by introducing the MG ZS EV, the electrified version of the regular MG ZS crossover.

The local specifications of the EV aren’t available yet, but based on what's in other markets, the electrified ZS will have an estimated 400 to 440 km of range on a single charge from its 50.3-kWh or 72.6-kWh battery pack. 

The ZS EV will also be quick as it will hit 0 to 100 km/h in about 8.6 seconds and will have 156 to 177 PS, depending on what versions MG brings to the country. 

The EV can charge from 0 to 100 percent in 8 hours with a 7-kW fast charger.

Charging times decrease if you use a 50-kW rapid charger, which can get from 0 to 80 percent in just 54 minutes, while using a 100-kW charger means that the MG EV can go from 0 to 80 percent in just 36 minutes.

Also Read: SPECS TO EXPECT: Fun Facts about the 2024 MG ZS EV

MG Marvel R

Another product that MG Philippines is set to bring into the country soon is the MG Marvel R.

This EV is designed to take on the compact crossover segment. The Marvel R could come with three electric motors, making the crossover all-wheel-drive.

The rear-wheel-drive version makes 186 PS with 410 Nm of torque. However, if the tri-motor all-wheel drive model arrives, it will create 288 PS and a whopping 665 Nm of torque.

Its battery pack has a capacity of either 52.5-kWh or 70-kWh, giving it around 420 km of range from a full charge. 

For technology, the Marvel R will come with a massive 19.4-inch infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a wireless charger.

MG4

Yet another product that MG Philippines will bring in soon for the local market is the MG4.

Instead of being a crossover, it is a hatchback, packing a single electric motor that pushes out 170 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

It is available with a 51-kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack, giving the vehicle a traveling range of around 425 km on a full charge. 

Like the other MG EVs on this list, it has the latest technology, including a large display for its infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The EV hatchback has power seats, automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Official specifications aren’t out yet for the MG4 EV, but our version will likely be similar to what is available in Thailand.

Reports from various sources indicate a starting price of ₱1.4 million, reaching up to ₱1.7 million.

Also Read: FIRST IMPRESSIONS: MG4 EV -- What to watch out for in the Philippine release

Wuling Bingo

The Wuling Bingo is another EV set to enter the Philippine market under the Chinese automaker.

Wuling Philippines already has two other EVs available in the country: the Wuling Mini EV Macaron and the Wuling Mini EV Gameboy. 

Unlike its fellow EVs in the lineup, the Bingo has similar dimensions to other city hatchbacks like the Mazda2, but comes with the benefit of being fully electric.

Depending on the variant, you get a single electric motor with 41 to 68 PS and 110 to 150 Nm of torque. The battery pack for the entry-level variant has 17.3-kWh capacity, while the top-of-the-line variant gives you 31.9 kWh.

As for range, the Wuling Bingo can give you between 203 and 333 km on a single charge, depending on the variant. 

Regarding charging times, the entry-level variant will take 9 hours to fully charge via a wall outlet, while the top-spec variant will take 14 or 35 minutes if you use a DC charger.

Wuling Philippines is already accepting reservations for the Bingo with the following introductory price points:

• 203-km - ₱796,000
• 333-km - ₱996,000

Also read: Wuling Philippines now taking pre-orders for Bingo BEV hatch for ₱5K

Baojun Yep

Under Wuling Philippines, a new brand will enter the local market under the Baojun nameplate.

It's called the Baojun Yep, but will be named the Baojun Yue locally. It will be similar to the Suzuki Jimny, but about 100 mm shorter than its internal combustion engine counterpart.

The Yue has an electric motor mounted on its rear axle that delivers 68 PS and 140 Nm of torque. It also has a 28.1-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack that can be fast-charged with a DC charger from 30 to 80 percent in 35 minutes.

As for regular AC charging, expect the mini EV to take several hours. 

The Baojun Yue also packs some serious technology as it has Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, developed by DJI. It also has dual 10.25-inch screens, auto brake hold, cruise control and even a 350-degree camera.

Also read: Yep! The Baojun EV SUV is coming soon to the Philippines!

Omoda 5 EV

Omoda has yet to enter the Philippine market, but is set to make its local debut in the 4th quarter of 2023.

With its arrival comes the Omoda 5 EV, which will be part of the Omoda 5 lineup of vehicles.

While it has similar dimensions to its gasoline-powered counterpart, it does come with a few EV styling changes to give the vehicle an overall sleeker appearance. 

More interestingly, Omoda Philippines will give the vehicle a 5-year/200,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty, while its battery pack comes with an 8-year/200,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. 

As for power, Omoda Philippines has yet to reveal official specifications, but it will reportedly have around 224 PS and can do the 0 to 100 km/h spring in about 7.8 seconds. Regarding its range, depending on the variant that is brought in, it will be around 350 to 450 kilometers.

For charging, the Omoda 5 EV comes with an AC wall outlet charger, which can get the vehicle from 0 to 100 percent in about 8 hours.

Of course, fast charging is available for the electric crossover, with the DC charger bringing you from 0 to 100 percent battery in around 35 minutes. 

Also read: Arriving in Q4 2023: Here's why you should wait for the Omoda 5 EV

What do you think of this list of upcoming EVs in the Philippines? Should more arrive or should the infrastructure first catch up?

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