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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Aboitiz-backed Voltai debuts country's first large-scale EV battery swap

Aboitiz-backed Voltai debuts country's first large-scale EV battery swap

Published Oct 22, 2025 12:42 pm
First large-scale electric two-wheel battery swap ecosystem in the Philippines launch. Photo shows (L-R) Voltai Co-founder and CEO Fazlur Abdul Rahman; Voltai Directors John Januszczak and Sandro Aboitiz; PEMAP President Alma Rias; Cleanfuel Philippines Marketing Head Kris Lim; Voltai Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Nico Policarpio; Voltai Director Hardesh Singh; and Voltai President Carlos Aboitiz in the event.
First large-scale electric two-wheel battery swap ecosystem in the Philippines launch. Photo shows (L-R) Voltai Co-founder and CEO Fazlur Abdul Rahman; Voltai Directors John Januszczak and Sandro Aboitiz; PEMAP President Alma Rias; Cleanfuel Philippines Marketing Head Kris Lim; Voltai Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Nico Policarpio; Voltai Director Hardesh Singh; and Voltai President Carlos Aboitiz in the event.
Voltai, a startup under Aboitiz Power Corp.’s 1882 Energy Ventures, introduced the Philippines’ first large-scale battery swap ecosystem for electric two-wheeled vehicle fleets, aiming to reduce operational costs and emissions for logistics and delivery businesses.
In a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Fazlur Abdul Rahman, Voltai co-founder and chief executive officer, said the system is a business-to-business (B2B) solution tailored for companies operating large vehicle fleets, including those in logistics, food and beverage delivery, and ride-hailing services.
Rahman added that the pilot preview, launched in Pasig City, is “the first step toward building the future of fleet e-mobility in the Philippines — smarter, cleaner, and more cost-efficient.”
Voltai's business model centers on leasing electric vehicles and batteries for a fixed fee, which is designed to insulate commercial clients from the volatility of rising vehicle acquisition costs and fluctuating fuel prices.
The battery swapping mechanism is intended to maximize rider efficiency by providing faster vehicle turnaround compared to charging downtime, while also reducing fleet maintenance requirements.
The venture has deployed 15 battery swapping stations in the country in partnership with fuel retailer Cleanfuel and co-living provider MyTown, marking the largest initial network of its kind for two-wheeled EVs.
Clients gain operational visibility through a web-based Fleet Management System that tracks location, trip history, and carbon emission reduction metrics. The corresponding mobile app for riders provides real-time battery health and GPS routing to the nearest swap station.
The launch is positioned to capitalize on newly established regulatory mandates. The Electric Vehicle Industry Reform Act (EVIDA) requires industrial, commercial, and public transport operators to ensure a minimum of five percent of their fleet is composed of electric vehicles.
Furthermore, the Philippine Energy Plan targets re-fleeting 10 percent to 5 percent of all fleets with EVs by 2040, depending on the energy transition scenario adopted.
Voltai, which is currently in its pilot phase, plans to expand its network across Metro Manila and nearby provinces next year to address “range anxiety” and strengthen aftersales support for logistics, delivery, and transport operators.
Rahman noted the solution offers businesses a “competitive edge through lower costs, higher efficiency, and reduced emissions without the need to shoulder heavy upfront costs.”

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