By Henry Empeño / June 18, 2023

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – This premier economic zone and popular tourist destination is gearing up for the growing number of owners of electric cars and other environment-friendly vehicles visiting the pristine beaches, forests and other natural attractions here.

On Thursday, two electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) opened here at the Uni-Oil Subic gasoline station, the second establishment to put us electric charging stations here this year. 

The Unioil Subic EVCS is a partnership between Delta Electronics International (SG) Pte. Ltd. and Unioil Petroleum Phils., Inc., with the Delta EV Chargers produced by Edgetech and Delta.

A charging demonstration was also held during the EVCS launch using the electric vehicles Hyundai IONIQ5 from Hyundai Motors Philippines, and Nissan Leaf from Nissan Philippines.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan, who graced the Uni-Oil Subic EVCS opening, welcomed this as another milestone for Subic Bay. 

“We are gearing up to attract more tourists while maintaining a healthy environment as part of my administration’s thrusts. Not only are we expecting tourists with conventionally-powered vehicles, we are now ready for those on electric vehicles and e-cars,” Tan said.

Tan recalled that another EVCS was installed at the Acea Subic Beach Resorts early this year, pointing out that both Acea and Uni-Oil EVCSs will encourage visits to Subic among the growing number of electric vehicle owners.

“Accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations is the key to making Subic Bay Freeport a tourist haven for electric vehicle owners,” he added.

The Department of Energy (DOE) last year estimated some 9,000 electric vehicles, most of them electric tricycles and motorcycles, and about 300 charging stations in the country.

The DOE said it targets to roll out more than 2.45 million electric vehicles and 65,000 EV charging stations between 2023 and 2028. 