Our short answer: Absolutely!
The ecosystem of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV’s or EVs) relies on multiple components that work together to ensure smooth and sustainable operation. Electricity from the grid acts as the primary source of power for EVs via a level 2 home charger.
A single phase 7 kW charger is usually supplied as standard. It draws the safest amount of only 32 amperes to recharge or tender the batteries efficiently, conveniently, and cheaply. Anywhere from 3 to 8 hours is a typical top-up charge if daily driven. The crux of the matter is savings realized based on today’s petrol prices vis a vis residential electrical rates and charging station prices.
This equates to about 1/5th what you would spend on fossil fuels for the same distance. Add to that no change oil expenses every 5,000 kilometers.
Range Anxiety
On average, Filipino’s drive about 12,000 kilometers per year, which is an average travel distance of 32.8 kilometers per day. Depending on your electric vehicles efficiency, that’s roughly 14 kWh of electricity daily, less than a fourth of the EV battery capacity.
What are we trying to say? If you had left the house with a 100% charge by the time you get home from the office or your errands, you would still have 80% capacity of battery available for use the next day. Similar to an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle, it isn’t necessary to charge every day but only when you need to. Hence, a top-up if you so desire depending on the following days destinations. Conditioning your mind in EV terms helps rid yourself of a draconian fossil fuel mindset. ie, kilometers per liter versus kilowatt hour per kilometer.
Charge Anxiety
Efficiency and range are important factors for EVs, but so is the availability of reliable charging infrastructure. Without a robust network, travelling long distances could pose a challenge. But in our opinion an EV with a minimum range of 300 kilometers coupled with a proper and faster charging CCS2 port would suffice to get you to your next (paid) charging station or the several charging destination hotels and malls already available. In practical terms, it should get you safely northward to Baguio City, for example.
Charging stations play a crucial role in the electric mobility ecosystem. For the most part, mid-level electric vehicle brands have a decent range to meet the Filipinos’ average travel distances. One thing to note is that Tesla builds its charging infrastructure in congruent with launching their EVs with much success.
Moreover, solar energy can synergistically be utilized for home charging through the installation of solar panels. This not only provides renewable energy but also allows for the utilization of excess energy in battery storage systems for later use.
This brings us to bidirectional charging technology, which is another exciting addition to this entirely new system. It enables EVs to not only receive power from the grid but also give back excess energy in times of peak demand or emergencies akin to a generator. In big numbers, this capability also enhances the overall flexibility and resilience of the electric grid.
Carbon neutral
The world is transitioning towards sustainable and renewable sources of energy, and electric vehicles are leading the way. As we face the challenges of climate change and the increasing demand for energy, it is crucial that we adopt greener transportation options to reduce our carbon footprint.
– Enrique Gil Severino
is a purpose driven social entrepreneur, a renewable energy advocate and currently Chairman for the Philippine EV Community.
