With the rise of fuel prices showing no end in sight, many motorists concerned about this accelerating cost have begun to seriously consider purchasing a hybrid or EV. Indeed, on the surface, the idea seems to make sense. If fuel prices are going up, you stand to save more by having a car that sips fuel, or doesn’t use it at all.

While we, as journalists that cover the automotive industry, welcome the long overdue shift to more sustainable vehicles, it’s the timing that leaves a lot to be desired.

Some buyers seem to think it’s as simple as handing over the payment, signing a few papers, and receiving your car within one to two days. It’s far more complicated than that.

Right now, interest in new hybrids and EVs have skyrocketed. That means many brands have become inundated with inquiries and orders, more than what they had expected at the start of the year. While they will more than be happy to sell you the car, whether you will actually get one depends on their current stock levels.

At the start of the year, many of these auto brands did expect an uptick in interest and orders. As such, they placed orders for more vehicles than last year. Because the Philippines has yet to assemble its first hybrid or EV vehicle locally, these vehicles are still sourced from factories and assembly plants abroad.

As you may have guessed, the current demand has far exceeded that estimate, making the local pre-ordered stocks inadequate. Those who have already placed their order even before this fuel crisis began will likely get their car soon. However, those who’ve completed a purchase within the last couple of weeks may not be so lucky. Some buyers will unfortunately have to wait a bit longer for their car to arrive.

It’s not as simple as ordering another batch, as the factory can only allocate a limited number to each country. As you may have noticed, we’re not the only country experiencing an increase in fuel prices. Several others have likely placed additional orders for these cars as well.

This has been the case for many small EV models. VinFast, for example, has already announced that local stocks of their small VF3 model have run out. They’ve already placed an order for a new batch, but that may take some time to arrive.

A friend of mine, recently placed an order for one, but because he too only considered an EV at the start of the fuel crisis, he’s still waiting for his new car to arrive, rather than actually enjoying the benefits of EV ownership already.

There may be a few more issues to worry about once it arrives. Granted, many EVs now come with free portable chargers and wall chargers. Portable chargers are smaller units that can recharge the EV in a pinch. Because they’re designed to work with the average wall socket, they recharge the car at a much slower rate and current. This means even a small EV may still take eight to 10 hours to fully recharge via the portable charger. That’s assuming your wall socket is properly grounded and wired up. Some portable chargers will check the system for proper grounding before even starting. If it doesn’t detect any, it might not even charge, forcing the buyer to charge at public stations.

The wall charger is another matter buyers have to worry about. Because it draws an even higher current from the system, it needs to be installed by a professional. This means scheduling a visit and evaluation of your home electrical system before work even begins. Once checked, the installation fee may run up anywhere from P25,000-P60,000 depending on your desired set up and the materials required. Allow a couple of days or weeks for this installation process.

These are the issues, most buyers often overlook, turning what they thought would be instant relief from rising fuel prices to an arduous and agonizing wait. In the mean time, they will continue to suffer the consequences of expensive fuel like the rest of us.

Before you start shopping for an EV, consider these matters first. Browse other brands, ask about stock availability, check the requirements to home charging, and be prepared with additional funds. The shift to EV may be a financially rewarding one, but it is by no means instant.