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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Aboitiz-backed Voltai partners with JRS Express for EV pilot

Aboitiz-backed Voltai partners with JRS Express for EV pilot

Published Mar 11, 2026 02:44 pm
Carlos Aboitiz, Voltai chairman
Carlos Aboitiz, Voltai chairman
Voltai, a mobility startup backed by Aboitiz Power Corp., has partnered with logistics provider JRS Express to pilot an electric vehicle fleet and battery-swapping system.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 11, Voltai said the initiative utilizes its two-wheel electric vehicle ecosystem and includes a network of 15 located swapping stations in Matro Manila.
The company claims the infrastructure currently represents one of the largest specialized two-watt electric vehicle swap networks in the country. This pilot phase is intended to refine the technology’s performance and reliability before Voltai pursues a broader commercial rollout later this year.
“This partnership is a step toward enhancing energy security, affordability, and sustainability,” Carlos Aboitiz, Voltai chairman said. Early feedback from the pilot indicates high driver satisfaction, with operators reporting seamless transitions during the battery exchange process.
Voltai operates under 1882 Energy Ventures, the investment arm of AboitizPower. Since its introduction in October 2025, the startup has focused on a business-to-business model tailored for high-volume fleets in the logistics, food delivery, and ride-hailing sectors.
By leasing electric vehicles and battery-swapping technology for a fixed fee, Voltai aims to insulate logistics firms from the volatile oil prices that have historically pressured the Philippine transport industry.
The partnership leverages the established footprint of JRS Express, which brings six decades of logistics expertise to the trial. For AboitizPower, the move into mobility services complements its broader strategy to diversify its portfolio beyond traditional power generation.
The company, one of the nation’s largest electricity producers, manages a mix of thermal, hydro, geothermal, and solar assets.
AboitizPower is currently accelerating the expansion of its renewable energy capacity to align with government targets, which aim to increase the share of renewables in the Philippine energy mix to 35 percent by 2030. The Voltai initiative represents a downstream application of this strategy, converting renewable generation into carbon-free miles for the logistics sector.
By targeting large-scale commercial fleets, the company expects to achieve more immediate reductions in both operational costs and urban emissions than through fragmented consumer-led adoption.
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