- 2 days ago
Electric vehicles are no longer just the future—they're becoming part of the present. As EVs begin to reshape transportation, investments, and even real estate, one big question remains: Is the Philippines ready?
Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we discuss the opportunities, challenges, and what lies ahead for the country's shift toward electric mobility with Ian Saligumba, Country Manager of SALIQO Industries.
Look deeper. Think deeper. Only on Beyond the Headlines.
Title: Is the Philippines Ready for the EV Revolution?
Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we discuss the opportunities, challenges, and what lies ahead for the country's shift toward electric mobility with Ian Saligumba, Country Manager of SALIQO Industries.
Look deeper. Think deeper. Only on Beyond the Headlines.
Title: Is the Philippines Ready for the EV Revolution?
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NewsTranscript
01:00Your perfect latte is not brushed. It is crafted. One cup at a time. Your perfect latte is ready. Coffee
01:08first. Then, everything else.
01:11Good afternoon. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines. I'm DJ Moises. And today's conversation is brought to us by Coffee First.
01:20Electric vehicles are beginning to reshape transportation, investment, and even real estate.
01:27The question is no longer whether electric vehicles are coming. The question is, is the Philippines ready?
01:36This afternoon, we look deeper and think better and examine the realities.
01:40Joining us is the country manager of Salico Industries. We have Ayan Saligumba.
01:46Hello, Ayan. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
01:49Hello, DJ. Good day.
01:50Yes. So, it's raining.
01:54Yes, actually. It's raining cats and dogs.
01:58And then there's traffic.
02:00So, the topic of discussion today about how EVs can actually brave these conditions would be very, very timely.
02:08Exactly.
02:09So, before we get into the details, if we have viewers who are thinking about shifting to electric vehicles,
02:24what do you think is the first thing that they should investigate?
02:32Yes. I mean, well, we have to know the brands.
02:36But more than the brands and the models and what's up to or trending to this date,
02:41it's much more important for us to know and understand where are we going to charge our electric vehicles.
02:50Now, mileage, that's good. The design, that's good.
02:55But more than that, since we're entering a new set of industry, we have to know what…
03:02The first question that must come into mind is that where will I charge this electric vehicle?
03:07Do I have, let's just say, in your personal residence, do you have the ample resources or even the slightest
03:16of the electric requirement?
03:17Do you have the electrical requirement to suffice the electric need for your charger?
03:26Or perhaps, do you have the nearest public charging stations?
03:31So, I think that's the most important thing that must come into mind when purchasing or thinking,
03:36even by thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle.
03:38And because of the Middle East tension and the price of fuel, more and more people are investigating whether EV
03:47is for them or not.
03:49But at least from your observation, is EV really for everyone or there are certain lifestyles and driving habits that
03:59does not or will suit an EV?
04:03I mean, technically speaking, I'd rather have someone who'll purchase an EV who understands the market itself.
04:12When I first, from your first question, yung sinasabi ko kanina, you must understand first, where are you going to
04:19charge?
04:20But needless to say, for our viewers out there, we must understand that electric vehicle is not just limited to
04:26pure battery electric vehicle.
04:28There are actually three types of electric vehicles.
04:31So, from that standpoint, you must understand first, what is your priority?
04:36Is it the mileage or is it the savings?
04:40When talking about electric vehicles, I mean, the industry is too young.
04:47It's way too young.
04:49So, I understand that there must be some misunderstandings, misconceptions.
04:52But to answer your question, first, we must put into consideration first that there are a lot of types of
04:59electric vehicles.
05:00For starters, we have the most popular one, the BEV or the Battery Electric Vehicle.
05:08So, there's a 100% electric vehicle.
05:10So, if your choice is more into this 100% savings, I think BEV is best for you.
05:18And if you're more into the mileage and the savings, I think PHEV or the plug-in hybrid is best
05:25for you.
05:26So, suit what matters or depends on what's your priority.
05:30But I think right now, we are getting into that industry that I am saying that this is not merely
05:37a trend anymore.
05:39This is where we're going.
05:43EV is the way.
05:44So, what you're saying, correct me if I'm not able to capture it correctly.
05:48What you're saying is, if the need of a person is savings, then full EV is the answer to that?
05:58Correct.
05:59It makes much more sense.
06:01Makes much more sense.
06:03But if that person also happens to drive more and travel longer distances, then it's much suitable for the person
06:16to have hybrid.
06:17Correct.
06:18It's much more, let's just say, for the lack of better words, it's much more safer, so to speak.
06:24Sige, we'll get into the anxiety piece now.
06:28But let's talk about the savings first.
06:32One of the impressions that people have, at least people from my circle who are not experts of EVs yet,
06:44is the high initial purchasing cost.
06:48But a lot of people are also aware that eventually, this will be recovered by the savings that they will
06:57have specifically for maintenance and other costs.
07:01How long does it normally take for a person to recover the higher initial investment?
07:11I think the returns, you're talking about the returns.
07:14Yes.
07:15I think you've mentioned it already.
07:18But when we talk about the generation, on how long will you be able to get your returns?
07:24Like five years?
07:25Three years?
07:26I think on the market right now, or in the study, we have a study that shows that the average
07:32can get at least three to five years already.
07:35So they will start feeling the savings now, three to five years.
07:39Remember that what you're battling from is not merely fuel versus grid.
07:44There's also an avenue for you to expand for, let's just say, renewable energy, such as solar, which is very
07:53popular nowadays.
07:55But the thing is, we have to, which is very available for electric vehicles and not available for the standard
08:02vehicles.
08:04So what I'm trying to say is that, yes, we have a study that proves that three to five years,
08:10you can feel your returns.
08:12But you can actually get or feel your returns much more earlier than the three to five years if you
08:18travel more often.
08:19So the more you travel, the more you feel your returns.
08:23So that's why, because the savings can be seen or felt through your mileage.
08:31And the more, well, we're comparing it to the fuel consumption or the basic consumption of a standard vehicle.
08:39But what I'm saying is, the more you travel, the more faster you get your returns.
08:44Now let's go on the flip side now for some of a balanced discussion.
08:49All right.
08:50Who would you advise not to buy an EV?
08:56First and foremost, I'd like to think that, going back to my initial answer, you must first be able to
09:05understand EV in itself.
09:07You must be able to understand what are the types of electric vehicles and what are your priorities.
09:14So if you happen to not answer what is your priority, if you're not able to answer why are you
09:23getting EV in the first place, then it doesn't make sense if you're going to get an EV, so to
09:30speak, especially if you don't even know where to charge.
09:33For example, study shows, actually, that Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the most saturated electric vehicle charger stations are more into malls.
09:46Well, let's just say you're far distant from malls.
09:51The nearest mall is, let's just say, hundreds of kilometers away.
09:55And you happen to have to live in a condo unit and your condo unit or your condo building, which
10:00is typically the problem nowadays, that condo units tend to not have or no availability for electric vehicle charters.
10:11So if that is a problem, then I think it's not really a good time for us to get yourself
10:19an EV.
10:19Now, I'd rather lose the particular client now, but maintain him or her if we are ready for the infrastructure
10:30itself.
10:31So actually, I also have quite a similar experience lately because I almost went into full EV until somebody gave
10:43me a heads up about availability of charging stations.
10:49So let's talk about that.
10:51Is it becoming the bottleneck as of the moment?
10:54Because I know that more and more people are going into EV.
10:56So are the charging stations also becoming the bottleneck?
10:59Well, two points.
11:00Okay.
11:01First is, a lot of, if not all, a lot of car dealerships or brands, EV car dealerships nowadays, have
11:10their own free wall box and portable charters.
11:15So if you're, for instance, in the situation here, in Cebu first, Cebu is still an island.
11:21It's not like other countries who, like for example, it's USA who is cross-country.
11:26So, well, you can, if your trajectory is more into the metro city, well, you can actually survive with a
11:37mere portable charger.
11:38That's the one point.
11:39But when we say bottleneck, we cannot afford to just simply say, oh, you're just limited here in metro city.
11:45But remember, the bottleneck is also an opportunity.
11:52Needless to say also that majority of the dealerships here, or not just in Cebu, but nationwide, majority of their
12:00portable chargers actually requires grounding.
12:05So for some brands, that is where Salico comes in.
12:10Usually, we provide the portable charger that needs no splicing of their outlet.
12:16So that's one of the added value that we provide.
12:19But when we say bottleneck, yes, I think I still consider it as a bottleneck.
12:26Us in Salico, we consider it as a bottleneck for us to, the goal here is to connect each corridors
12:33to have, to simply make charging a lot more boring.
12:40Am I making sense?
12:41Okay, Sigur.
12:42Oh.
12:44No, because you said something there that got me curious.
12:47As far as I know, although I have a very limited knowledge, so you can correct me if I'm wrong.
12:55There's only one brand that I know that comes with a portable charger.
13:02But you've mentioned quite a number of times portable chargers.
13:07Yes.
13:07Are you saying that if the, what's this, if the brand cannot provide a portable charger, there are companies such
13:18as yours who can actually provide that for us?
13:21Actually, yes, correct.
13:23Oh, really?
13:24Yes.
13:24There are, I don't know where you're getting your information from, but from our perspective or from our market, a
13:35lot of car dealerships, if not all again, gives free portable chargers.
13:41However, however, majority of those car dealerships, if not all again, majority of them doesn't work to a 220 volts,
13:53which really…
13:55DC you mean?
13:56AC.
13:56Oh, AC.
13:57I'm sorry, AC.
13:58So, which defeats the very purpose of portable chargers.
14:02It should be portable.
14:03So, whenever you want to charge anywhere into 220 type B plugs, so you should be able to charge.
14:10But that's not the status quo right now.
14:14And just to answer briefly your question, yes, we are one…
14:17Actually, we are the only provider nationwide of electric vehicle chargers.
14:25Regardless of brand.
14:27Yes.
14:28So, others…
14:29Oh, there seem to be, yeah.
14:29Yeah.
14:30Well, others might be saying that they're into also a supplier, but most of them are just white label brands
14:38who are…
14:39But just to insert a little bit, well, where you're purchasing already at least a million,
14:47a six to seven or even eight-digit electric vehicle.
14:53I think it's not really or it doesn't make sense if you're going to invest to a charger who only
14:57costs…
14:58Who is only getting…
15:00You're getting from a white label brand.
15:02It doesn't make sense.
15:03The math isn't mathing, so to speak.
15:06So, that is where Salico comes in.
15:08So, sige, out of curiosity.
15:10So, let's zoom out langsa.
15:12All right.
15:13And this is 100% curiosity.
15:15How do charging stations…
15:16So, I'm referring to like malls or, yeah, malls largely.
15:23Do they make money after that or is that just public service?
15:28I think when we're talking business, I think charities are way far from it now.
15:33Okay.
15:33So, they're making…
15:34So, how do they make money?
15:35So, for starters, majority of operators, we call it operators.
15:41Under the DOE circular, we are…
15:44Those who are operating are called EVCS operators, electric vehicle charger, charging station operators.
15:51Now, they charge by the kilowatt hour.
15:55So, how much is the per kilowatt right now in Cebu?
16:02Do you happen to know?
16:03I think it's roughly 13 to 14.
16:06It's fluctuating right about there.
16:09But, you know, but the minimum charging that I know here in Metro Cebu is already in 28 pesos.
16:16So, that's roughly 15 pesos per kilowatt hour.
16:19And for us to charge an AC, let's just start basic.
16:23A 7 kilowatt AC can charge from 10 to…
16:28Of course, it's going to be zero.
16:29So, 10 to 80 percent is around roughly 7 to 8 hours.
16:33So, you multiply that by X number of hours and X number of kilowatts delivered.
16:39So, you get your margin from there.
16:41Okay.
16:42So, it's like the cost per kilowatt that charging stations are selling with respect to the cost per kilowatt in
16:50which they're paying…
16:51Correct.
16:52…the provider.
16:55Yes.
16:56VECO is one of them.
16:59Okay.
17:00And no, no.
17:00The reason why I made this gesture is because I think our viewers could see the logo, no?
17:05Okay.
17:06Okay.
17:07So, now let's talk about infrastructure, no?
17:10Specifically, charging stations.
17:13You've mentioned that at least for the capital region, there's already a better number when it comes to availability of
17:23charging stations.
17:25But you mentioned that for locations such as Cebu, that's not necessarily the same case.
17:30From what you're seeing on the ground, are we, and when I say we, Cebu, are we on track in
17:40terms of making charging stations more available?
17:49Considering that there are more and more people right now who also have converted already to electric vehicles?
17:59I mean, your question is…
18:01Are we on track now?
18:02Yes.
18:03Just to say, I think we are.
18:04I mean, just last week, I saw a news from the city government of Cebu, who is on their way
18:12requiring each charging stations to charging units per gas station.
18:19So, that's another bold move.
18:21And by the way, when will this take effect?
18:23And out of curiosity, and I'm sure if we have viewers right now who are thinking about transitioning to EV,
18:30but they are aware of the perceived lack of charging stations.
18:35So, around when will this take effect?
18:38I think it's not the best interest of me to answer that question.
18:42Siga.
18:43No, I just got excited.
18:44Anyway, continue.
18:45Yeah, so, but yeah, that's just one of the moves of the government, the local government, so to speak.
18:52Not to mention the relevant national agencies such as DOE, who is actually planning to, not just planning, but now
18:59initiating this quarter.
19:01We're in close coordination with, due with 35 charging stations here in Luzon-Visayas, Luzon-Visayas first.
19:10And then they're adding more 23, if I'm not mistaken, correct me if I'm wrong, but that's a total of
19:1668 charging stations.
19:21That's just one of the initiatives of the national government.
19:24But right now, I think Cebu, in fact, study shows that after NCR, Mandawe and Cebu City is the next
19:36cities who are mature already for electric vehicle market.
19:39I mean, that's outside already the rest of Luzon areas.
19:47So, I think that speaks a lot on how we are ready on the infrastructure in itself.
19:54And alongside with our fellow private stakeholders, we are on our way to support, especially the goal of the DOE,
20:06which is to reach 7,300 charging stations nationwide.
20:13And when you mentioned about the number, which is 7,000, it brought me back to the conversation that I
20:22had yesterday with an economist.
20:24Because the Philippines typically has, we have the bias towards measuring it in terms of numbers, but not necessarily in
20:34percentages.
20:35Now, because 7,000 sounds a lot, but we don't know exactly how many vehicles are running.
20:41But just to give better clarity on that, are we then, so this is my follow-up question to the
20:49previous one, are we then at a point in which we have adequate charging stations for people who are still
21:02about to buy their EVs?
21:05Or are we at a point that there are people who are about to buy their EVs, and then the
21:11charging stations are catching up?
21:14I think it's more of a chicken and egg question.
21:18Yes.
21:18Which comes first?
21:19Which comes first.
21:20But if you would ask me, I'll tell you where the bias is.
21:23If you would ask me, I would wish the Philippines in general, so this is also for our government officials,
21:33I would hope for a change.
21:35Because the Philippines typically, although I'm not saying it's 100%, but the Philippines also typically is catching up.
21:42We build the city, we think about the infrastructure later, and then the infrastructure will just catch up.
21:47That's why a lot of people now are in traffic.
21:49But anyway, that's beside the point.
21:50So going back to EVs, I would prefer charging stations, and then let's tell people, okay, come.
21:59You buy, because we have enough charging stations.
22:03So are you catching up or charging stations?
22:06Just to point out, just to have a point of reference.
22:10Sige.
22:11Luzon started that way.
22:12In fact, 2019, there are already existing charging stations.
22:17That's pre-pandemic.
22:19Sige.
22:19Okay.
22:20So meaning, in the capital region, a lot of businessmen are already forecasting that that is going to be the
22:31trajectory, or that's going to be the way next.
22:34But right now, it's not a sad fact.
22:38Just to put into disclaimer, it's not a sad fact.
22:42But right now, I think it's more of catching up.
22:46That's the impression I have.
22:47Yes.
22:47Continue.
22:47But needless to say, that gap that we're looking forward right now, or we're looking at it right now, is
22:55another opportunity.
22:58So, it's not more of a chicken and egg question.
23:01It's much more of, actually, they're complementing naman eh.
23:04We are kind of supported naman.
23:08But we must remember that growth is exponential, not linear.
23:14So, meaning to say, it's not like if it's not compounding.
23:19But in fact, it is compounding.
23:22The growth is compounding.
23:23So, when more people are being interested, more people are being aware, more people are being educated, I think for
23:32little to one year, I think we're going to be that mature compared to the national capital region.
23:38And I'm actually hopeful that, eventually, there will be the infrastructure comes first.
23:46So, the charging station comes first before the buyers.
23:49That's my hope, at least for a change in the narrative of progress here in the Philippines.
23:57Now, you've covered this already earlier, how do charging stations make money?
24:04You've also mentioned about condo dwellers.
24:08But just allow me to ask this question because if our viewers failed to catch your answers in these different
24:15questions, they might not be able to just put one and two together.
24:19Is it actually cheaper to charge at home compared to charging at the public charging stations?
24:29I think, of course.
24:33I know, I know, I know.
24:34But I just wanted to ask.
24:36Just in case our viewers failed to catch your answer here and your answer here.
24:40Of course, because first and foremost, the residential and commercial electricity rate is far different.
24:48So, that in itself is already a plus for residential.
24:52Residential.
24:53But, of course, it is a business model.
24:57So, they earn per kilowatt hour.
24:59So, of course, there's a markup for that.
25:01But, here it is.
25:03It doesn't mean that it's more efficient in charging.
25:09What I'm trying to say is that you cannot have, for ordinary homeowners, you cannot have your own DC chargers
25:19or fast chargers.
25:20So-called fast chargers.
25:22But because the electrical power requirement is not sufficient to an ordinary household.
25:29Meaning to say, I'd like just to point it out, the basic requirement for 7 kilowatt, which is the basic,
25:37the free, 7 kilowatt chargers, it's the most pretty common one, requires, it's the only one who requires single-phase
25:46electricity power.
25:49But all of the others, when we go up to even to slight notch, so it really requires three-phase
25:58already.
25:59And the investment from that is far from the usual, or if you're going to use it for your home
26:07purpose only, it's not going to suffice.
26:09Or it doesn't add up, if I'm not being clearly.
26:13But simply said, recovery from your returns will be a bit longer if you're really comparing commercial DCs to a
26:23more traditional or safe 7 kilowatt.
26:26So, if I capture it correctly, it's more economical for those who are charging at home.
26:34Correct.
26:34Okay.
26:35Yeah, I anticipated that answer, given what you mentioned earlier about charging stations making, of course, money, because it's not
26:43just plain public service.
26:45So, now, because I live in a condo, and to continue with my story earlier, I was discouraged by some
26:54friends because of the perceived disadvantage if you go full EV and then you live in a condo.
27:04So, once and for all, I'll ask it from experts like you, is it practical?
27:10Because more and more people now live in condos as of today, maybe in the future, but as of today,
27:16is it practical actually to have an EV and then you live in a condo in Cebu?
27:24Yes.
27:25Right now, I think, yes.
27:27Okay, see again.
27:28Because before, the other existing electric vehicle charger providers are merely franchise operators, meaning they don't even actually sell the
27:40actual chargers.
27:41That is why there's a demand for who am I going to buy EV chargers from?
27:48That is where Salico comes in.
27:50During when we started to do our EV rollouts, we saw the gap between the existing providers, the franchise operators,
28:01and the real estate developers.
28:04Now, I can clearly say that EV chargers right now is now no longer an amenity.
28:12Remember when condo units first provided generator sets?
28:18It was more of a luxury back then.
28:21So, not all condo units have the backup power.
28:27It was more of an upsell or more of an added value, so to speak.
28:33Before, it was still the same with electric vehicle.
28:36But right now, developers, even here in Cebu, we have clients here in Cebu who are developers who are actually
28:43trying to add their electric vehicle chargers into their properties, not merely as an amenity, but now as a requirement.
28:54So, I think Cebu, in this interview's case, I think Cebu is already mature as four developers.
29:02I think that's all, but we're getting there.
29:05And it's not going to take us long to fully immerse all developers to have their own electric vehicle chargers
29:12as well.
29:12No, it's good that you're bringing that up.
29:15I will not put my developer on the spot, but in the condo that I live, we still don't have
29:22chargers.
29:22That's why I was relieved when you mentioned earlier about portable chargers, because I think in my case, after weighing
29:32things, the pros and the cons, eventually, I went for hybrid.
29:37Oh.
29:38Yes.
29:38Meaning?
29:39Hybrid plug-in.
29:40No, no, no.
29:41I went for two cars.
29:43One electric and one, what's the name?
29:46One traditional.
29:49Traditional.
29:50Yeah, yeah.
29:51And I wanted supposedly to merge the two, but because of the limitation in our condo, and I cannot imagine
29:58lining up in the malls, which by the way, I was told, I did not see it myself, but I
30:03was told that there's a long line in the malls in terms of charging.
30:06So, I do not want to wake up earlier or sleep late just for me to charge.
30:12Okay.
30:14Okay.
30:15So, now this, let's talk about range anxiety, because this is also one part that I was told by a
30:23friend who lives in the US and has a full, has an EV, no?
30:30And that's what he also told me.
30:33So, that means he's an advocate now, but that's one part that he somehow discouraged me into going full EV.
30:41So, in Cebu, let's talk about Cebu.
30:44Is it reasonable to own just one EV, that means you don't have two cars, you don't have a backup,
30:53so what you have is just EV, to go to Bogo, for example, in the north, or Oslob in the
31:03south, without feeling anxious at all?
31:08Actually, although this can be a myth, but I'm just telling you this because these are also things that I
31:13hear.
31:14I mean, first and foremost, I'd like to put a disclaimer.
31:17I cannot speak on behalf of all electric vehicle brands.
31:21Okay.
31:22What I'm trying to say right now is what I can just share to you is much more of a
31:27personal knowledge and an added research perspective by saying this is an average answer.
31:35Now, first, I'd like to point out first, because, you know, it's not really, I don't, it's not really, it
31:44doesn't make sense at all.
31:46If your first initial or your first thought on having an EV is to directly go to Bogo or directly
31:53go to the southest part of Cebu of Cebu.
31:56But you will be amazed about people would talk about it.
31:59In fact, the person I was talking to was even very specific.
32:03He also has friends, also having EV, but they have a backup traditional car.
32:09And then he said that they are not even comfortable to drive beyond Liloan.
32:15So, if they travel to Liloan, okay, we can have an EV, but beyond that, let's use the traditional car.
32:22So, maybe true or false, but that's, at least from my circle, that's the impression that they have.
32:31Well, I don't blame them.
32:33In fact, I don't blame anyone who are being skeptical on the range, which translates to range anxiety.
32:41Correct.
32:42So, I don't blame them because the industry is still too young again, which brings me back to my very…
32:48Wait, are there charging stations?
32:51Sorry, ha, if this sounds a funny question, but I just have to ask this.
32:55Are there charging stations beyond Liloan?
32:58I think so, yeah.
32:58Okay.
33:01Okay, that's what they told me.
33:02Anyway, continue.
33:03So, there are?
33:04Yes.
33:05Okay.
33:06But when I say…
33:07And beyond Milanelia?
33:08Yes, I think there's still even in Bandahan, Bantayan, and Bantayan.
33:12Okay.
33:13Sige, continue.
33:13Those are islands already.
33:15Continue.
33:15But going back to my point is, first, I don't blame, even the users already.
33:22I don't blame them being skeptical in knowing where will their vehicle reach.
33:30Now, but going back, you yourself must know the range of your vehicle already.
33:37Now, what I'm trying to say is, I've heard a lot of…
33:42This is for personal accounts from the experiences that I've been to.
33:46So, even they are just using a portable charger, they can already room around the city.
33:54But your question was towards the farthest of the farthest.
33:58But I think we are capable.
34:02Although, there's a disclaimer that, again, I cannot speak on behalf of all electric vehicle brands.
34:09But there is the answer to your anxiety.
34:13Because, you know, there is anxiety because there is the lack of knowing.
34:19Correct.
34:19So, if you are being educated and being informed on whether the capacity of your EV is already sufficient to
34:34what extent in, say, can it reach this point of Cebu, then there's the answer.
34:41I think, again, to point out the…
34:44Again, there's many misconceptions and one of it is the range of anxiety.
34:50Anxiety only comes in if people are dis- or misinformed or uninformed.
34:57If we take care of that, I think those two words won't exist in the first place.
35:03So, this is part of the education…
35:07Yeah, the educational drive.
35:09Of our viewers.
35:12So, now let's talk about…
35:15Don't laugh, but I'm also making…
35:18I'm seizing the opportunity to ask some of the questions or some of the impressions that I'm also getting on
35:25the ground.
35:26And they can be true or false.
35:28So, there are also people I would hear when they say that EV is a green solution.
35:35But in reality, the emissions were just shifted from the vehicle's tailpipe to the power plant.
35:46Yeah.
35:46I do get that a lot.
35:50So, what they're trying to say is that, yes, it's not getting from the emission of the car tailpipes, correct?
35:57But it's getting from the grid.
35:59Yes.
35:59But I know, first and foremost, there is no other option on where can we get renewable resources from.
36:13First and foremost, not all power plants are destructive.
36:19There are a lot, even up to date, there are already self or green power plants, even solar farms.
36:30So, that in itself considers one of the greener portion of charging.
36:35Second is that there is an option, actually, which is being popularized here in Cebu now, that charging with the
36:43solar panel solutions.
36:45So, where can you possibly get that from being a traditional vehicle?
36:51What I'm trying to say, yes, the grid needs more investment, so to speak.
37:01But it is not a closed door, but it is an unacknowledged challenge.
37:08And before I let you go, because I'm supposed to be down to my just last question, but since you're
37:13here, and it's flooding, how safe?
37:17I know you will laugh at your question, but just in case we have viewers.
37:22And by the way, I already know the answer because before I also, or when I was investigating EV, I
37:29truly, I also asked the dealer for floods like,
37:33A.S. Fortuna, I actually asked, is this safe?
37:39And the dealer actually gave me an answer, but I'll just have to ask you so that, just in case
37:44we have viewers who are asking the same question,
37:46how safe is EV for flooded streets like Cebu and Mandawe?
37:53You're talking about the electric vehicle.
37:55Yes.
37:55Again, just to put a disclaimer, I cannot, again, speak for everyone.
37:59But generally speaking, I think it's, I think we've already seen, we've already seen tons of videos where electric vehicles,
38:12because first and foremost, electric vehicles, most, if not all, correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the electric
38:18vehicles uses only dynamo.
38:20So it doesn't use a, an engine, so to speak, for it to, for you to be able to get,
38:27if it's wet, it's not gonna, it's not gonna, hindi aandar.
38:32Or, but speaking from the charger in itself, what happens if someone, if ma-flood ba yung, ano, charging stations?
38:41But going to that perspective, electric vehicle, our electric vehicle chargers are IP65 already.
38:51Meaning to say, even if it's with pressure, the water won't go inside the machine.
38:57So there's no, that's already a protective layer built in place, knowing that the Philippines is a tropical country.
39:03Correct.
39:03And, and by the way, now I'll give the answer of the brand, which I will not mention.
39:09Yes.
39:09He, the, the dealer, or the, the, they actually told me that water can go to as high as one
39:16meter.
39:17Oh.
39:18And, and then my next question is, but the car is small, will it float?
39:23Yeah.
39:23And then the answer was, no, it's heavy enough not to float.
39:27So that's what the answer is.
39:29But I did ask.
39:30It's just one of the dealers.
39:31Yeah, but I did ask that question.
39:34It's a common, it's a common consideration.
39:37Especially that, again, it's rainy season and streets in Cebu right now are unpredictable.
39:43All of a sudden, there's flooding.
39:45By the way, range, anxiety, and traffic.
39:48Can you speak more about that before we close?
39:50Because traffic is also a situation in Cebu.
39:52Yes, but what particularly part of the traffic?
39:55If you're stuck in a traffic longer, because there are certain sections in Cebu that are notorious.
40:00Oh, okay.
40:00With being stuck.
40:01And especially at this time, no, yesterday, we were just going to a certain hotel and, and it was relatively
40:07close.
40:08But some people actually spent two hours, no, just to get to the event.
40:12So, how does, how is the traffic condition also in Cebu with respect to people who are into EVs?
40:22Kaya, muram punsyag ka ng cellphone naman, no, but, di ba?
40:25Totally.
40:25Sorry for the question, ha?
40:27Sige.
40:27First and foremost, there's no difference at all.
40:30Okay.
40:30It's just merely that you're driving a much more lighter or, or in speaking of a fuel sense.
40:39But, but first, but needless to say, there's no difference at all.
40:43I just like to point out the, the, the misconceptions of which brings, again, to the range anxiety.
40:52Correct.
40:53Again, people.
40:54This one is time anxiety.
40:55Yes, yes.
40:56But still.
40:57Yeah, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know.
40:58But, again, again, there's, there's, I won't really dwell, I won't really dwell into the range anxiety,
41:06but I really want to talk about the reason behind why such things exist in the first place.
41:12People are just misinformed or uninformed.
41:16That's all.
41:17If people will just really take time to, to search more, to, to talk to their dealers more,
41:25and then to actually learn to understand rather than just, again, the industry is too young.
41:31Therefore, I understand if there's misconceptions.
41:33Misconceptions and withdrawals.
41:37Every time there's a new industry that's taking place, there's always going to be people who are going to withdraw
41:42or not going to be skeptical.
41:44And that's normal.
41:45My concern is just, do not spread misinformation or disinformation and actually help be informed
41:55and spread information, correct information.
41:59Because once, if that's, once all of that are going to be solved, there's going to be no such thing,
42:05such as,
42:07what do you call it again, range anxiety or any anxiety in the first place.
42:11Oh, yeah.
42:12Actually, we hear, di ba, Cebu is rich, so there's no price anxiety, no?
42:16Range anxiety.
42:18Exactly.
42:18I'm just kidding, but that's, that's a common joke also that I would hear, no?
42:22Cebu doesn't have a price anxiety.
42:24Cebu has a range anxiety.
42:27But anyhow, Sige, and this is my last question already, and I'm enjoying this conversation so much,
42:31but maybe, but we're running out of time.
42:34But anyhow, so now let's fast forward to five years from now.
42:39So this is a future-oriented type of question.
42:47At what point can everyday Cebuano like me, in which maybe I'm using Eevee or I'm not using Eevee,
42:57but everyday Cebuano, at what point can, can I say that, oh, Cebu truly is already Eevee ready, no?
43:08That you are not alone in that vision.
43:11We are closely working with the DOE for achieving that, for achieving that certain goal.
43:18But the goal here, the very goal here is that we want to make charging, electric vehicle charging in the
43:27first place be boring as much as possible.
43:29So it's not a problem anymore.
43:31Yes.
43:31That talking about charging is irrelevant already.
43:34And just people won't really plan on where to go to, what route are they going to just to charge.
43:41And make charging itself plain and boring.
43:45Just simply like the traditional charge.
43:48Like going to a gas station.
43:50So that's the very goal.
43:51We want to make our company irrelevant to the point in which we are more, yeah, we want to make
43:59our industry boring to the point where people are already used to having different electric vehicle chargers and doesn't make
44:07it like a special bonus or a special amenity, so to speak.
44:10That's the very goal that we're really looking into.
44:13So thank you very much, Ayan, for joining us today.
44:16Thank you so much also, Dij.
44:18And also for correcting several of the myths that I hear on the ground.
44:23Yeah.
44:24Yeah.
44:24Pleasure is mine, yeah.
44:25Yeah.
44:26And also, I'm also hopeful that with the Middle East tension, and even for in the context of having a
44:35greener space,
44:36I also wish that more and more people will investigate and give electric vehicles the chance that they deserve.
44:46So behind every EV is an entire ecosystem.
44:50We have charging stations, supportive policies, forward-thinking businesses, and consumers willing to embrace change.
45:00So let's look deeper and think better, because headlines tell us what's changing.
45:07Understanding tells us what those changes mean for our lives, our businesses, and our communities.
45:15So I'm Dij Moises.
45:16Shout out to Coffee First for supporting conversations that matter.
45:20This is Beyond the Headlines.
45:22Have a good afternoon, drive safe, and have a good weekend.
45:26Okay.
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