The current available charging stations
If the thought of a silent, emissions-free means of mobility appeals to you, having a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or fully electric car (as they’re also called) can be boon when used within Metro Manila.
The next question you might be asking is, ‘Where do I charge?’ Luckily for you, there are already several locations within the megacity where this is possible.
SM Supermalls
If you frequently require some retail therapy, you’re in luck. SM Supermalls has deployed in-mall free charging stations for electric vehicles at select SM malls. The free EV charging stations are at SM Aura in Taguig City, SM North Edsa in Quezon City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.
The in-mall charging stations is conveniently located in SM AURA B1 Parking, SM Mall of Asia 3rd Level North Parking Building, SM Megamall B1 Parking Mega Fashion Hall, and SM North Edsa 3rd Level North Parking Tower. There are two 7.4KW AC chargers per mall. These chargers use the (Combined Charging System) CCS standard and are compatible with electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Kia, Hyundai, and Jaguar among others.
Take note, these are AC (Alternating current) chargers and may take several hours to fully charge an electric vehicle’s battery. Nonetheless, they’re free and will be appreciated by those needing a top up.
Robinsons Malls
Yet another mall operator, Robinsons has chargers in its locations. Robinsons Galleria – Ortigas, Magnolia, and Tagaytay also provide this option. Galleria-Ortigas has a charging pod for electric vehicles supplied and installed by eSakay, a Meralco subsidiary. Robinsons Magnolia now offers an eBike Charging Station. Robinsons Tagaytay will provide an AC charging station for both 4-wheeled battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The chargers for cars are 7.4kW AC chargers in CCS Type 2 standard and have similar charging times to those of SM malls.
Megaworld Malls
Megaworld is not far behind with its first charging station located in the basement parking of Uptown Mall in BGC. There are two slots that are on a first come first serve basis.
The chargers are 22kW AC CCS Type 2 and can charge cars significantly faster. Nonetheless, it may still take a few hours to charge a completely empty vehicle up to 80%. Thankfully, charging is free at the moment, but there is still a parking fee to pay.
Megaworld also plans to install these in Eastwood City, McKinley Hill, Forbes Town, and Arcovia City soon.
Ayala Malls
Developments of Ayala land are also well equipped to serve these vehicles. You’ll find chargers in locations like Greenbelt Makati; Glorietta Makati; Alabang Town Center; Trinoma QC; Vertis North, Seda Hotel BGC (for guests only); and even Baguio Technohub.
These stations are all 22kW AC chargers compatible with CCS Type 2. Charging is currently free.
Shell
Energy company, Shell, hopes to create a network of charging stations as well. It’s begun this initiative with its Shell Recharge station at Shell Mamplasan. This is the first Shell Recharge site in the country and is currently the most powerful DC high performance fast charger.
It comes with two EV charging points with CCS Type 2 connectors allowing two vehicles to charge simultaneously. With 180 kWH of power, it can recharge the average EV vehicle up to 80% in just 30 minutes. This varies per vehicle type and their respective battery management systems. There cost for charging is priced per minute, however EV owners can expect a substantial return after being connected for just a few minutes.
Unioil
Those with CHAdeMO vehicles should look for Unioil stations. Unioil currently has two charging stations: one in Congressional Ave. and one in Unioil EDSA Guadalupe. Unioil Congressional has an AC charger that supports electric vehicles with a CCS Type 2 plug. The charger is powered by Smartflower solar array that tracks the sun and provides power through solar energy.
Unioil EDSA Guadalupe has a charging station can accommodate electric vehicles with CCS2, CHAdeMO, and Type 2 plugs. CHAdeMO is the charging standard used by Japanese electrified vehicles (xEV). These include the Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi i-MIEV, and Outlander PHEV.
Solarius
Another company hoping to create a charging network is Solarius. This company hopes to make it convenient with the use of a cellphone app and account. Payment can be made via credit card, GCash, Maya and Western Union.
Their first charging station is at Fairmont Hotel in Makati. This charger is compatible with CCS Type 2 plugs.