#EVChallenge: Can an electric car make it to Baguio?

PHOTO: SM Aura Premier is one of the 27 malls of SM Supermalls that offer free e-Vehicle charging stations.

SM Group makes an EV-powered Baguio trip possible.

You might be wondering, can you really drive your electric car from Metro Manila to Baguio—without any worries? The answer is yes. In fact, you can power up your car “e-nywhere” out of the 27 SM malls that offer EV Charging Stations nationwide. 

This makes the SM Supermalls, part of SM Investments, the biggest chain of malls in the country to offer this service. 

“The EV charging stations in SM Supermalls are one of the sustainability initiatives under the SM Green Movement. Aside from advocating air conservation and clean energy through this innovation, we champion solid waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and disaster resilience for a greener, safer tomorrow” said Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. 

Electric cars have been making rounds across the Americas and Europe in recent years. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive your own EV in the Philippines? Where it could take you? What happens if you run out of charge?

Getting ready, get rid of range anxiety 

Now, let’s say you just bought your new ride; can you actually take it to Baguio without a hitch? A one-way drive from SM Mall of Asia to SM Baguio is approximately 300 kilometers. That single trip takes around six hours, including potty breaks and other necessary stopovers. 

Generally, the new electric vehicles that arrived in our country would need at least five minutes of charging to get through 100 kilometers of travel. You would have to allot at least 30 minutes on average if you consider the battery capacity of your car. If your car battery is fully drained, you might need to charge it for about half a day. 

Charging stations on the go 

Filipinos are usually skeptical of new technology amid our centuries-old normativity—and rightfully so. Some of the concerns raised by enthusiasts are the cost of charging, especially with the looming energy price, and the availability of charging stations. 

SM currently has 27 EV charging stations nationwide, mostly equipped with Wallbox Type 2 plugs. You can bring your own adapter, while SM Baguio uses Tritium which can refill the car’s battery within an hour. It’s time to focus on alternatives to reduce our carbon emissions, conserve energy, and safeguard the environment. Some of the EV Charging Stations are also available in SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Trece Martires, and Sky Ranch Tagaytay. 

Additionally, these urban centers have been energy-efficient and can power their operations throughout the day, which makes all of SM’s EV charging stations free of charge nationwide! From Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao you can charge your electric car without the fear of paying a hefty amount. 

Sustainability moving forward 

True to its mandate, SM continues to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible to Filipinos. Going green shouldn’t be as expensive as the daily outlays. That’s why the company has been ramping up the initiatives to revolutionize our transportation and carbon minimization. 

We’re taking the “leave nothing behind but footprint” to a whole new level. Vacations would cost less now that EV charging stations are spreading throughout the provincial malls. 

To know more about SM’s EV Charging stations, you may check out this link: https://www.smsupermalls.com/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-terms-and-conditions.