SM malls to make available charging stations for electric vehicles

Tech start-up QEV Philippines has signed an agreement with SM Supermalls for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the latter’s malls, with the first outlets expected to go online by February 2018.

Audrey Peñaranda, general manager of QEV Philippines Electromobility Solutions and Consulting Groups Inc., said in a statement the ABB EV chargers would be able to charge vehicles working on the CCS and Chademo protocols.

Peñaranda said most European cars like BMW already had vehicles that charge via CCS. At the same time, most Japanese-branded EVs such as Nissan and Mitsubishi make use of Chademo.

She said the installation of the charging infrastructures would support the mass adoption of EVs as well as help QEV’s mission to reduce carbon emissions and make use of a more sustainable source of energy in order to have cleaner and greener cities.

“At the local level, we hope that this event will increase awareness and perception levels on advanced/green vehicle technology and generate much-needed support from the government and other stakeholders.” Rommel Gutierrez, president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., said in a joint statement.

According to Peñaranda, QEV Philippines planned to put up more than 200 EV fast-charging stations nationwide before 2022 with the help of location partners such as SM.

Earlier this month, QEV—a joint venture between Filipino and Spanish business partners Endika Aboitiz and Enrique Banuelos—partnered with Pilipinas Shell for an initial 100 pilot sites for the EV charging posts.

The first installation of the charging stations in Shell premises will happen in December 2017.

Peñaranda said that while EVs had been around in the Philippines since 2008, one of the main reasons for the slow uptake had been the lack of supporting charging infrastructure.

“QEV worldwide aims to promote a sustainable solution for healthier, cleaner cities by reducing the amount of carbon emissions in the air brought about by transportation,” she said.

“With the growing problem of climate change, QEV seeks to spearhead the green electromobility movement in emerging countries such as the Philippines,” she added.