The city of Makati on Thursday, Jan. 18, received five Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric cars from Hyundai Philippines that are expected to promote sustainability through the introduction of electric vehicles in the city's public safety fleet.
(Photos from Makati LGU)
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, together with Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) President Dong Wook Lee, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Cong. Luis Campos, Cong. Kid Peña, City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza, City Legal Officer and PSD Head Atty. Michael Camiña, Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, Cecil Capacete, HMPH Managing Director, Jae Ha Ryu, HMPH Directing Coordinator for Sales and Dealer Development, Young Uk Ko, HMPH Directing Coordinator for Aftersales, and other HMPH officials, attended the turnover ceremony of the electric cars to Makati's Public Safety Department (PSD).
"As a city, we recognize our critical role in addressing environmental concerns. By introducing electric vehicles into our public safety fleet, we not only enhance our emergency response capabilities but also contribute to reducing air pollution and our overall environmental impact," Binay said
The city government said the two-wheel drive vehicles feature a 58-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, along with a powerful motor that delivers up to 350 Nm of torque and a maximum power of 170 ps.
"We look forward to being a part and playing a role in Makati's journey of transforming into a smart city. The IONIQ 5 is the most suitable partner to their commitment of adapting to the modern needs of Makatizens," Lee said adding the five vehicles also come with five years of preventive maintenance service, including parts and labor, wall box chargers, 220v cord chargers, fire extinguishers, training and orientation for drivers, and 24/7 roadside assistance for one year.
The city government and HMPH have also built three charging stations for the vehicles at the City Hall, Palanan Barangay Hall, and at Guadalupe Viejo Barangay Hall.
The mayor explained the cars will be strategically deployed across various key areas of the city, ensuring rapid response times in emergency situations.
Since 2016, Binay has been integrating innovation and sustainability into the city's operations to transform Makati into a smart city.
In 2022, Makati signed an agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish a smart transportation system featuring a fleet of electric buses.
Last year, the city was recognized as the sole finalist from the Philippines and in Asia Pacific during the World Smart City Awards for its smart meters and sensors.