PETRON Corp. has informed the government of its plan to put up electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations in select retail stations, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
Cusi said he was informed that “Petron also” committed to put up EV charging stations.
“Shell has committed,” Cusi stated. “Petron is also interested.”
Petron President Ramon S. Ang confirmed the information on Thursday through a text message.
Earlier, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (Shell), QEV Philippines and Swiss robotics firm ABB have signed a memorandum of agreement to put up the first EV fast-charging infrastructure network in the Philippines. An initial 100 pilot sites of the EV charging posts are planned to be placed on Shell’s select retail stations in Metro Manila. The charging posts will be supplied by ABB.
QEV Philippines is a joint venture between Aboitiz Transport System Corp. President and CEO Endika Aboitiz and Spain’s Enrique Bañuelos. Both said they are interested in assisting local jeepney manufacturers in the conversion of passenger jeepneys into battery-powered vehicles.
Joining the bandwagon is Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
The utility firm is looking into the possibility of producing EVs, apart from charging stations, to complete its e-vehicle supply chain.
“Of course, [a] charging station is a basic entry for Meralco, but we are looking at…if we can participate more in the entire ecosystem or value chain of EV,” Meralco Senior Vice President Alfredo Panlilio said.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC), Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) and Meralco unveiled its EV quick-charging station at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office in Quezon City on February 15.
The charging station was donated by MMPC following a grant of 10 EV units from MMC from its Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) lines.
“We are already working with the DENR to conduct a study on how to reduce carbon emissions through the use of electric vehicles,” MMPC President and CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri said. “The creation of a charging infrastructure is a crucial step in enabling the market growth of electric vehicles in the Philippines.”
MMPC commissioned Meralco subsidiary MSERV to construct the EV charging stations.