An electric vehicle (EV) is an automotive vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. It can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or it can be powered autonomously by a battery (sometimes charged by solar panels, or by converting fuel to electricity using fuel cells or a generator). EVs include, but are not limited to, road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electric aircraft, and electric spacecraft.
Electric vehicles run on electricity, which emits less CO2 than conventional vehicles. The automotive industry and governments around the world are working to accelerate the global transition to greener vehicles.
Unlike traditional cars that run on gasoline or diesel, electric cars typically run-on electricity stored in a battery. Electric car lithium-ion batteries can be recharged by connecting them to an external electrical outlet. Car owners can charge their vehicles at home by installing a charging station or at a commercial charging station. Most electric vehicles have a driving range of around 200 miles (322 kilometers) per charge, which is sufficient for daily commutes. Furthermore, as technology advances, the distance per single charge has increased, and automakers are producing electric vehicles that can travel 300 miles or more.
Mober, a Filipino tech-logistics company, has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by securing a mixed fleet of 100 electric vans and trucks by 2030.
Dennis Ng, CEO and Founder of Mober, has a larger goal than simply reducing traffic congestion. Ng wanted to reduce the company's carbon footprint. As a result, Mober took a significant step toward sustainability by purchasing its first electric delivery fleet in October 2021. This was a timely step that resulted in a collaboration with IKEA Philippines to provide customers with electric delivery services.
“We are looking of acquiring at least 50 units of electric delivery trucks in the next two years and we are going to add 6 more vans this year (in addition to the current 3 vans). As of the moment we’re still looking at which automobile brand is reliable when it comes to its battery performance,” Ng said during our short conversation at the launch and presentation of the partnership with IKEA, a home furnishings retailer, for last-mile electric vehicle delivery.
Currently. Mober has DONGFENG and BYD electric vehicle delivery units with a service radius of 250 kilometers and serves Metro Manila. Mober's electric vehicle delivery van is the country's first. DONGFENG is China's second-largest car manufacturer, offering a diverse range of vehicles powered by alternative energy sources such as hybrids, battery-powered electric vehicles, and natural gas vehicles. BYD, on the other hand, is the world's fourth largest plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) and fourth largest BEV company. Ng stated that they are still open and looking for other economically affordable suppliers for their EVs.
Mober, a pioneer in same-day delivery, began as an on-demand delivery tool to help SMEs with logistical challenges. Since its inception, the company has been a trailblazer in the logistics industry, assisting SMEs that needed to transport goods but did not have access to a delivery vehicle.
The Philippine government has been promoting the use of electric vehicles throughout the country, including as a mode of public transportation.
Executive Order 488 (s. 2006) was issued to encourage the development of e-vehicles and to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels. This issuance reduced the tariff rate for e-vehicle components to zero, allowing e-vehicle manufacturers to import components at a lower cost. Executive Order 488 modified the rates of import duty on components, parts, and accessories for the assembly of hybrid, electric, flexible fuel and compressed natural gas motor vehicles to zero rate.
In Metro Manila, major cities have begun to use e-vehicles to transport residents and transient workers. Electric jeeps and electric tricycles are also becoming more common in the country's major business districts and urban areas. The establishment of "green cities" is also expected to increase demand for e-vehicles for public transportation.
IKEA Philippines is committed to making all its home deliveries through electric vehicles – as soon as is possible and no later than 2030. IKEA Philippines Manager, Georg Platzer, said: “We are working with our transport partners to support this goal. With the first electric vehicle from Mober for instance, we lower harmful emissions as we deliver home furnishing solutions from our store to the customers’ homes. This is our small collaborative start to tackle climate change and clean transport.”
IKEA opened its largest store in the world in Manila on November 25, 2021, welcoming customers to their new 66,000 square meter facility. IKEA has set a goal of producing 100% electric vehicles by 2030, with online orders now accounting for a sizable portion of the company's sales.
Ng gave us a brief demonstration of their electric vehicle delivery system. A standard charge can take up to 6 hours, and fast charging can take as little as 1 hour and 30 minutes. "Because we are a logistics company, we completed our delivery by 6 p.m. Moreover, we do not use the full charge to improve battery life. One EV unit costs between P1M and P2.4M. We're hoping that within the next three years, the cost of EVs will drop by at least 50%, which will be a great way or reason to transition from diesel to EV," Ng told us.
Mober is currently very strong on the last-mile delivery of appliance and furniture, and they haven’t thought of going to parcel delivery yet. Following the app's phenomenal success, and after observing the underutilization of many delivery vans and traffic congestion, Mober launched the Enterprise "hub" model. Mober's Enterprise consolidates all same-day deliveries with a Hub rather than having their delivery partners roam around and consume more fuel. Mober drivers can also accept assignments five days in advance thanks to the hub model. Mober is now available in 80 malls throughout the Philippines, serving hundreds of stores.
Many cities in Metro Manila still do not allow 6-wheel trucks, but Ng is hoping that as technology advances, they will embrace and allow 6-wheel electric vehicles to transport bulky deliveries.
EVs are gaining popularity, particularly considering rising gasoline prices and climate change concerns. When compared to traditional cars that use internal combustion engines, electric vehicles are marketed as one of the more efficient tools toward carbon neutrality and, in the long run, a viable alternative to skyrocketing oil prices.
The average Filipino may find it difficult to believe given the high cost of purchasing an electric vehicle and the scarcity of charging stations. Despite these scenarios, many people are still open to and willing to switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles.
At present, there are 19 charging stations, the majority of which are located on the main island of Luzon. According to the Land Transportation Office, there were approximately 7,000 registered EVs for local use in the country in 2018. (LTO). The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) predicts an annual growth rate of 8-12 percent, generating P1.68 billion ($33.6 million) in revenue from services and 200,000 unit sales by 2024. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), announced in 2021 that the group would start installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along its expressways in 2022.
“At least one in NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), one in CAVITEX (Manila–Cavite Expressway) and even in CALAX (Cavite–Laguna Expressway). That’s the plan in our mobility,” said MPT Mobility Vice-President for Business Development Mark Richmund M. De Leon during last year’s webinar.
Unioil became the first petroleum company in the Philippines to open an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at their Congressional Avenue Extention station in Quezon City on November 27, 2017. This provided EV owners with a location to charge their vehicles outside of their homes, if needed.
The Ayala-led Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) aims to help bring the electric vehicle (EV) industry into the mainstream by deploying more charging stations at the soonest time possible.