Photo from ChargeEuropa website
Poland-based infrastructure firm ChargeEuropa is penetrating the Philippine market as it tapped a unit of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to deploy its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country.
Its deal with Movem Electric, Inc., the green mobility subsidiary of the power distributor, marks ChargeEuropa’s expansion to Asia. It is mostly present in Europe.
Under their agreement, Movem would focus on the installation and operation of ChargeEuropa’s technology.
READ: EV sales in PH seen growing by 10% in 2024
Meralco said the charging stations would initially be installed in areas within its franchise areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Other locations are being finalized.
“We chose this market because we strongly believe in the potential of the Philippine EV industry and market. We see that EV charging is becoming a growing and very significant part of mobility in the country,” ChargeEuropa chief executive Matt Tymowski said.
For Movem president and CEO Raymond Ravelo, the deal would improve the public’s access to EV solutions.
“Meralco, through Movem, has long since looked into the EV industry and aided in the transition together with the regulators and advocates with the industry like the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines. We’re planting the seeds. It’s about time that we really grow together with partners,” Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer and Movem chair Ferdinand Geluz said.
Industry data showed nearly 10,000 units were sold from January to July this year.
The government wants EV penetration to reach 50 percent by 2040.