The recently concluded Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS)—and a recent trip to China, where so many cars are hybrids or full electrics—made me consider our own locally available electrified models. It’s gratifying to know that there are over two dozen electrified models you can drive off from a local showroom now.
But which ones should you go for? I’ve compiled a list of 11 cars that I feel are the most relevant to today’s Filipino car buyer. I’ve purposely left out the luxury brands, not because they are not relevant, but because their audience is obviously much smaller than those of mass-market brands. But it’s also noteworthy that all luxury brands now have a fully electric model available locally, from the pioneers Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron, to the Jaguar I-PACE to the more recent Lexus RZ, Mercedes-Benz EQA, EQB and EQE, as well as the BMW iX3, iX and i7, and the Volvo C40 and XC40 P8 Recharge Twin.
I also did not include mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) as their level of electrified mobility (i.e. the distance they can travel on pure electric mode) is still quite far from those of true hybrids and, of course, pure electrics.
Here then is my list of 11 electrified models, three of which are HEVs (traditional hybrids), two PHEVs (plug-in hybrids), and six BEVs (pure electrics)—in no particular order.
- MG 4 EV
The fully electric MG 4 EV is easily the most compelling pure electric vehicle on the market today. And it’s not just because of its P1.468M starting price, but also because it’s a gorgeous head-turner, a versatile crossover-like hatchback, and an absolute ball to drive.
- Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV
Filipinos love their midsize 7-seater SUVs, so the P2.5M Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV is a shoo-in in this list. Not only is this plug-in hybrid phenomenally fuel-efficient (over 800 kilometers on one tankful), it’s also blisteringly fast, thanks to the combined (ICE + EV motors) output of 320ps and 545Nm of torque. It’s easy to drive and comfortable to ride in. There are tons of luxury and safety features and the build quality inside and outside are absolutely top notch.
- Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV
The company that popularized hybrids worldwide deserves two entries in this list. While the Yaris Cross 1.5 HEV is newer, the price difference (less than P100,000) between that and the bigger Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV makes the latter more compelling. If you want to enjoy 700-plus kilometers of fuel range from one tankful without ever having to worry about plugging in your PHEV or BEV, the P1.68M Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV is the way to go.
- Honda CR-V RS e-HEV
People may think that Honda is a latecomer in the hybrid/EV race, but they were actually among the pioneers, with the hybrid Honda CR-Z sports car being available locally 10 years ago. The all-new P2.59M CR-V e-HEV brings the Honda brand to a more mainstream genre. The compact SUV category may be shrinking, but this hybrid CR-V may be the shot in the arm this model needs.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
A P3M Hyundai may raise some eyebrows (unless it’s a big SUV like the Palisade), but it’s justifiable if it’s a show car-like pure-electric vehicle like the IONIQ 5. It looks like a concept car from an Italian car brand (the IONIQ 5’s styling harks back to the Giugiaro-designed Hyundai Pony of the 70s) while its hatchback design and extremely long wheelbase translates to a surprisingly spacious cabin and cargo area.
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander may not have taken the local market by storm, but it was simply just a matter of a vehicle being ahead of its time (in terms of technology and pricing). Priced at P2.998M, the Outlander is vastly more sophisticated, refined, and comfortable than its similarly sized Montero Sport sibling (whose flagship variant retails for P2.37M). The Outlander PHEV has been one of the bestselling plug-in hybrid vehicles in the world for many years now, and it’s the Filipino motorist’s loss for not being able to experience the world-beating performance and fuel efficiency of this vehicle.
- Toyota Zenix 2.0 Hybrid
Toyota truly means to make its world-leading hybrid technology available to masses, which is why they make hybrid versions for their people-movers, from the Zenix to the Alphard. This being a list of the most relevant electrified vehicles, the nod goes to the much more attainable Zenix, which retails for P1.953M. Even if the Zenix comes from the Innova lineage, it boasts luxury features that an Alphard owner might be familiar with, like second-row captain’s chairs with retractable legrests and a center tray with cupholders that stow away for third-row set access.
- BYD Dolphin EV
Joining the newly launched MG 4 EV as the most affordable mainstream-sized pure-electric vehicles on the market, the BYD Dolphin EV compact hatchback now retails for P1.398M, a huge P270,000 price drop from its original SRP of P1.688M. The new low price also comes with the more common CCS2 charging connector. A bonus feature of the Dolphin EV is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, which enables it to power small electrical accessories.
- MG Marvel R EV
The closest competitor that the P2.588M MG Marvel R EV has in this list is the Honda CR-V RS e-HEV. Size-wise, they both belong to the compact crossover category and have virtually identical prices (a difference of a mere P1,112). But while the CR-V is a hybrid, the Marvel R is a pure electric vehicle—with all the accompanying pros and cons for each. If you want a state-of-the-art pure EV with all the functionalities of a traditional compact SUV—but without going over the P3 million price threshold—the Marvel R EV is for you.
- Jetour Ice Cream EV
Easily the most eye-catching vehicle in this list—because of its tiny size, cute styling, and playful colorways—the Jetour Ice Cream also has the all-important distinction of being the lowest-priced electric vehicle in the country, thanks to its P699,000 SRP. It’s a tiny two-door hatchback whose 2,980mm overall length will fit within the 3,000mm wheelbase of the Hyundai IONIQ 5. It has a top speed of 100 km/h and a driving range of 170 kilometers. The Ice Cream seats four occupants, although the rear seats are best reserved for kids. Rear cargo area with the rear seats up is almost non-existent, but folding the rear backrests down creates a surprisingly large space. More than anything, the Ice Cream EV is a painless way to get started with the EV ownership experience.
- Nissan Leaf
Having originally launched 13 years ago and with the current second-generation model having debuted globally way back in 2017, the spacious and versatile Nissan Leaf may not be the freshest full EV money can buy, but it’s certainly one of the most successful and most widely available EV models globally. Close to 600,000 Leafs (Leaves?) have been sold worldwide. It is a pioneer in V2L technology and will perform seamlessly and effortlessly—like driving a pure-electric car is something you shouldn’t have to adjust to. The P1.998M price also makes it quite attainable. It’s one of the very few true hybrids or full EVs priced below P2 million—not bad for a first taste of the future of mobility.
, two PHEVs (plug-in hybrids), and six BEVs (pure electrics)—in no particular order.){kind=link}