BACOOR, Cavite — Amid rising fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA) has assured the public that more charging stations will be installed despite most EV users preferring to charge at home, especially for short trips.

In a statement, AFEVA president Edmund Araga disclosed that the groundwork for EV infrastructure has already been completed ahead of the passage of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) which was followed by the issuance of regulations by the Department of Energy (DoE).

Araga announced that as of the moment, “the number of charger ports is rolled out and increasing with quite a number of location sites were visible in public locations such as malls, parking areas and other gasoline stations, not only in Metro Manila but in other key cities from Visayas and Mindanao.”

He likewise cited that the increasing number of EV dealers is also helping in addressing EV users’ concern over the driving range if their battery-powered vehicles.

Supportive to the situation, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) chairman emeritus Ferdinand Raquelsantos asserted that the current setup is sufficient given how EVs are typically used in the country.

“There is a need to expand infrastructure outside urban centers, particularly for vehicles with shorter driving ranges. (Actually), there are a lot of models that can go back and forth to Baguio on a single charge, mainly with the help of a regenerative braking system, where as you slow down or press on your brakes, it charges your batteries,” he cited.

Raquelsantos added that he believes the country has enough charging stations as the country's EV application is not the same as other countries where the proximity of travel is quite far.

“In Metro Manila, you probably spend about 50 kilometers [km] average of travel per day, and with 400 km range on your EV, you practically charge only at home,” he underscored to assume that around 95 percent of EV owners rely on home charging, while those without access, such as condominium residents, typically charge at offices or malls.