Unioil plans more EV charging stations

MANILA, Philippines — Independent oil firm Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. plans to install electric vehicle (EVs) charging stations in five to 10 gas stations within its network to promote the use of cleaner energy and EVs in the country.

Unioil unveiled yesterday its second EV charging station in its EDSA Guadalupe (Northbound) station in Makati City.

It installed a fast EV charging station — with a project cost of P2.5 million — that can safely and conveniently charge a variety of US, European, and Japanese electric vehicles.

“This EV charging station is equipped with the latest Chademo fast charging protocol compatible with most Japanese, US and European cars. We want to encourage more people to begin considering the use of electric powered vehicles. We want to make available the infrastructure needed to pave the way for much cleaner forms of transportation. This is consistent with Unioil’s advocacy to find ways in doing our part for a cleaner environment,” Unioil president Kenneth Pundanera said.

To further spur the use of EVs, Unioil plans to put up more charging stations in five to 10 gas stations within the next 12 to 18 months. So far, the oil firm has 61 gas stations.

‘No one is charging yet. We’re just putting in the infrastructure to encourage people to adopt EVs,” Pundanera said.

Charging in Unioil’s stations is free until demand has grown to a sufficient level, he said.

Apart from the high cost of EVs, one of the challenges of EV adoption in the Philippines is the lack of infrastructure.

The Senate Committee on Energy is working on institutionalizing an EV framework which will help the country’s energy sector to achieve stability, sustainability, and savings.

“This type of infrastructure [is critical] in order for the acceptance of EVs to increase. We’re coming out with a legislation to promote the entire system of EVs, from charging station to the usage all the way to importation and manufacturing of EVs,” said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

The Senate committee is finalizing the details of the proposed law, which will be presented to stakeholders such as manufacturers, oil companies, tax agencies, and electric utilities.

Unioil claims to be the first petroleum company in the Philippines to launch an EV charging facility.