Solarius EV Charging targets 180 electric-vehicle charging stations by end-2023

If the lack of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is keeping you from getting into the “electric revolution,” Peter Wilson completely agrees.

“The one thing that is really an obstacle for people to adopt electric cars is the charging,” said the CEO of Solarius EV Charging at the brand’s November 24, 2022 launch in Makati City.

“‘Where am I gonna charge?’ You’ve probably heard these comments,” Wilson added.

That’s why his firm is planning to set up a public EV charging network with 180 stations nationwide by the end of 2023 and up to 500 stations in 2025.

Wilson added that 60 of these stations will be operational by March 2023, with many being set up at hotels, malls, and other stopovers.

“What we advocate is that the most convenient way to charge your car is when you’re not driving it,” Wilson said. “Parking is charging.”

By the company’s computation, charging a 70-kWh battery EV with a maximum range of 400 kilometers would cost around ₱2,450 at ₱35/kWh.

Wilson also said the stations will use Type 2 plugs found in European EVs, so owners of Chinese EVs that use G/BT plugs will need to bring an adapter.

EV owners must use the Solarius EV app to pay with their credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GCash, Maya, Western Union and voucher codes.

EV boom on the horizon

Wilson said Solarius EV Charging is pushing hard to set up EV infrastructure in light of the growing interest in EVs.

“Somebody has to go first and that’s why we started Solarius EV Charging,” he said. “We’re investing early in the infrastructure so that Filipinos who are considering a new car can buy an EV with confidence, knowing that this network is building out.”

The passage of Republic Act 11697 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act” on April 2022 gave EV owners and manufacturers various incentives to go electric.

These include non-fiscal incentives like exemptions from number-coding schemes implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units. 

In addition, EV owners get priority at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for all their registration concerns.

The law also mandates significant changes in infrastructure for EVs, including the construction of dedicated EV parking slots and charging stations in all new public and private establishments. 

Buildings that will be renovated must also comply with EV parking requirements.

Home EV chargers available

Solarius EV Charging will also offer EV charging stations for private homes and multi-tenant residences like condominiums.

“The fact of the matter is, 80 to 90 percent of all charging is done at home,” Wilson said. “That’s why EVs are so much more convenient than a petrol or diesel car.”

Wilson added that a Level 2 home charging station that runs at 7 to 11 kW is ₱ 70,000 to 100,000 each.

He said the return on investment is possible "within months" and that a full charge for a 70 kWh EV would cost around ₱1,050 at ₱15/kWh.

“That’s like the same load on the grid as two air-conditioners running overnight,” he said. “The more you charge, the quicker your return on investment.”

He added that the company can also tap chargers into solar systems for no impact on the power grid.

Tell us where you need us

Wilson said he needs the public’s help with finding the right places to set up EV charging stations.

In addition, Solarius EV Charging is offering free charging stations to location partners that can use these as additional income.

“If they’re in a qualified location where we predict a lot of EV drivers will need to charge, we actually give them the hardware for free,” Wilson said.

“All they have to do is give us carpark space, electrical connections, and Internet connection,” he added. “We manage the network on their behalf. They continue managing their hotel, and we actually pay them through automatic wire transfer at the end of every month plus a 10-percent margin.”

Fairmont Makati, where Solarius EV Charging held its launch event, has three charging stations on its premises.

This forms part of hospitality group Accor’s initiative to make their operations more sustainable with measures like phasing out single-use plastics, controlling food waste, and agroforestry projects.

What do you think of Solarius EV Charging’s drive to beef up EV infrastructure?