(FROM L-R) Christoph Matthes – Vice President, Head of Land Transport Schenker (Asia-Pacific), Christopher Sta. Maria – FMPI AVP for Heavy Business, Allan Salvador – Head of Land Transport, Jon Cinconiegue Fulfillment Developer – Transport & Services IKEA Pasay City
With public awareness and acceptance for fully electric vehicles becoming greater every day and, more importantly, more charging stations being added to the national infrastructure every week, it comes as no surprise that commercial vehicles are now starting to follow suit.
FOTON Motor Philippines is on pole position in this race, fully intending to be at the forefront of electrified commercial vehicles with its game changing new FOTON Tornado Electric Vehicle truck, which debuted at the FOTON’s Big Show 2023 last February at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
“The FOTON Tornado EV truck is the country’s first-ever fully electric commercial vehicle. We were the first Chinese automotive brand to break into the Top 10 in the Philippine market—and now we’re the first Chinese brand to introduce a fully electric truck into the local market,” declared FOTON Philippines General Manager Levy Santos.
In just four months since FOTON’s Big Show, logistics firms have accepted deliveries of their brand new FOTON Tornado EV trucks. These companies include DB Schenker, which had their own Tornado EV truck launch event and Holcim Philippines.
Like the latest electric vehicles, the FOTON Tornado EV truck utilizes a permanent magnet synchronous motor with peak outputs of 154 horsepower and 300 Newton-meters of torque. Driving range on a full charge is 208 kilometers (using the global WLTP standards) while charging may be done via AC or DC charger (2-4 hours on AC and 12 hours on DC from 20% to 100% charge).
The braking system is traditional hydraulic for ease of maintenance and repairs. The truck’s gradeability—the steepest hill a truck can climb using maximum torque at the lowest gear—is an impressive 20 percent.
The FOTON Tornado Electric Vehicle has a GVW of 6,000 kilograms with a load mass of 3,600 kilograms and a curb weight of 2,400 kilograms. It measures 5,960 x 1.925 x 2,260 mm on a 3,360 mm wheelbase.
Comfort, convenience, and safety features include ABS, EBD, an air conditioning system, daytime running lights (DRL), multimedia (MP3/Aux/USB) audio system, adjustable steering wheel, power windows, central locking with remote key, reverse sensor, among many others.
“FOTON is in sync with global logistics companies in their goal of achieving a zero-cost strategy on fuel, while realizing more efficient logistics, reduced operating costs, and enhanced corporate social responsibility through increased environmental awareness, while enjoying accessible charging opportunities and excellent aftersales services,” Santos added.
The future of electrified mobility in the Philippines is fast developing, with more and more stakeholders, from mall and residential/office buildings to gasoline stations and parking facilities, adding charging stations to their properties. These developments are making it more feasible to go full electric, which will mean zero expense in fuel and much lower maintenance costs as EVs don’t need tune-ups or regular oil and coolant changes. There are no belts or hoses to replace or break down, and no overheating to worry about.
Building on its strengths year on year for the last 16 years and counting, FOTON Motor Philippines has established itself as one of the bestselling automotive brands in the country and a leader in the commercial vehicle industry. Its line-up of passenger vehicles, modern public transport, light-, medium-, heavy-duty trucks, and heavy equipment has helped them forge partnerships with huge local, regional, and multinational companies like J&T Express, Shopee Philippines, YTO Express, Coca-Cola, Arrow Go Express, GoGo Xpress, Flash Express, FastEasy, San Jose Del Monte Transport Cooperative, and even the Province of Pampanga.
The new FOTON Tornado Electric Vehicle cab and chassis is priced at P3.6 million. EV chargers are available and sold separately at FOTON Motor Philippines.
For the latest sales offers, you may follow FOTON Philippines at www.facebook.com/FOTONPhilippines, or call 0999-999-9998 and FOTON dealerships nationwide.
