UNIOIL Petroleum Philippines Inc., the first oil firm to put up an electric-vehicle (EV) charging station, is planning to expand its retail stations to 10 more this year.
“For the remaining part of year, we will open 10 stations. These will be located mostly within the National Capital Region and nearby provinces, such as Batangas and Pampanga,” Unioil President Kenneth Pundanera.
The oil firm has 61 stations located all over the country.
Pundanera said investment for the additional stations is estimated anywhere from at least P12 million to as much as P25 million per station depending on the location of the property.
Unioil opened on Wednesday its second EV charging station located at Edsa Guadalupe (Northbound) Station in Makati City.
Unioil is the first petroleum company in the Philippines that launched an EV charging facility on November 27, 2017, at Unioil Congressional Avenue Extension, Quezon City, Metro Manila.
“We are proud to open today Union’s second electric-vehicle charging station. This EV charging station is equipped with the latest Chademo fast-charging protocol compatible with most Japanese, US and European cars. We want to encourage more people to begin considering the use of electric- powered vehicles. We want to make available the infrastructure needed to pave the way for much cleaner forms of transportation,” Pundanera said.
Each charging station costs P2.5 million to P3 million, Pundanera said, adding the service is free until such time when there is sufficient demand.
“An EV can charge a car from zero to full tank in 15 minutes. That means four cars per hour. As we see more and more cars charging to our EV stations, that will be the time we may start charging a fee. For now, it’s really to promote and encourage people and our government, as well to fast-track the legislation on EV.”
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committees on Energy and Economic Affairs, said the proposed bill on adoption of EV is being finalized. “Before we will have another hearing, we need to consult all stakeholders, including car manufacturers, oil firms, Meralco, among others.”
The senator said cost remains the top barrier in the adoption of EV in the country. However, he noted the cost of an entry-level hybrid car has gone down to P3 million. He said the cost of lithium batteries is also going down.
“It is now becoming affordable. We need to promote this and institutionalize an EV framework that will help the country’s energy sector to achieve our targets: stability, sustainability and savings,” Gatchalian said.