PHOTO: SM Seaside City Cebu — where PGA Cars has a showroom — has one of the newest charging stations offered free to owners of fully electric vehicles like the Audi e-tron GT.
… as more destination charging stations for electric vehicles roll out
PGA Cars continues to spearhead the adoption of electric-powered mobility in the Philippines through “FutureNow,” a program involving various initiatives supporting the use of fully electric vehicles like the Porsche Taycan and the Audi e-tron range.
PGA Cars is the exclusive importer and distributor of Porsche and Audi, along with Lamborghini and Bentley, in the Philippines. Supporting its FutureNow program are three pillars: products, infrastructure and strategic alliances.
The company introduced the Porsche Taycan in 2020 and the Audi e-tron range, presently composed of five models, in early 2022. This means that while competitors are only starting to launch their fully electric models in very limited quantities, both the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron models have already posted significant delivery numbers. Sales of both nameplates are much higher than those recorded by any brand offering a fully electric vehicle intended for private use.
Adding to the fully electric Porsche and Audi lineup is the electrified Bentley Flying Spur that is now available in the country. Lamborghini’s own electrified model is expected to follow soon. Fully electric models from Lamborghini and Bentley are set to be launched worldwide around 2025.
Complementing these products is the infrastructure PGA Cars is pouring massive investments on, like service, showroom and charging facilities, manufacturer-approved equipment, tools and software, and the systems supporting the operations and functions of these. Receiving continuous outlay is the specialized training of factory-certified product specialists and technical personnel comprising the PGA Cars EV Division — the first and only among auto companies in the country.
A key function of the EV Division is managing the installation of residential and destination charging facilities. It also proactively leads or collaborates with groups promoting the use of electric vehicles in the Philippines.
Responding to these moves are companies from various industries which have sought strategic alliances with PGA Cars. Besides those which provide home charging solutions, major property developers, shopping mall groups, oil companies and power distributors have aligned with PGA Cars in their respective efforts at rolling out destination charging facilities.
To date, there are more than 50 locations across the Philippines where companies have installed charging stations. More are continuously being established as adoption of fully electric vehicles increases.
SM Supermalls is among companies that is continuously expanding its network of charging facilities. It is the first in the country’s retail sector to provide users of fully electric vehicles convenient access to additional charging points. From the four pilot charging stations simultaneously launched early last year, the company now has around 27 in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu — where PGA Cars has a spacious showroom — are now the latest locations to this growing list of charging stations. Like in its other facilities, the chargers are conveniently placed at prime spots in the malls’ parking areas, and are provided to users of electric vehicles free of charge. The move aims to promote more sustainable and cleaner transportation solutions that are supported, encouraged and made accessible by the government.
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