Meralco’s eSakay gets EVs from BYD, Pilipinas Auto

MANILA, Philippines — eSakay Inc., a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has tapped Chinese carmaker BYD and car distributor Pilipinas Autogroup Inc. to provide electric vehicles (EVs) for the group’s green mobility program.

BYD provided Meralco with e2 and T3 models, which are both full battery EV models. The e2 is a compact hatchback with an all-electric range of up to 405 kilometers while the T3 is a seven-seater fully electric van with a range of 250 kilometers per charge.

“Our strategic collaboration with BYD underscores eSakay’s continuing commitment to promote the country’s important transition to electrified transport,” Meralco chief sustainability officer and eSakay president and CEO Raymond Ravelo said.

“It also highlights and heightens our pledge to provide our clients with topnotch, reliable, and fit-for-purpose electric vehicles, supported by requisite charging infrastructure solutions. This is all geared towards enabling our clients to enhance their operations while advancing their sustainability agenda,” he said.

“I’m so proud to be part of this Green Mobility project and honored to enable companies and individuals that lead by example towards sustaining our environment. I’m excited to take part in serving our community more with every conventional vehicle’s switch to electric expected to benefit everyone, and not only the ones who bought them,” BYD managing director Mark Andrew Tieng said.

Meanwhile, PilipinasAuto and eSakayrolled out two models—the Dongfeng Rich 6 EV and Dongfeng EM26 Cargo Van EV.

“The electric vehicle era is fast approaching as technology accelerates to evolve. This is evidenced by the incredible operating range of the Dongfeng Rich 6 which could not have been realized five years ago. Our partnership with eSakay builds excitement for us as we are able to introduce Dongfeng’s exemplary technology in electric vehicles to the Philippines. It is only a matter of time before we make these EVs available to the public,” PilipinasAuto president and general manager Ginia Domingo said.

The Dongfeng Rich 6 EV is the first mass produced electric pick up in the world and was co-developed with Nissan through their joint venture in 2003.

The electric version of Rich 6 has a permanent magnet synchronous motor capable of delivering 163 Ps and 420 Nm of torque to the rear wheels. Powering the motor is a 67.9-kilowatt-hour (kWh) ternary lithium-ion battery pack that can reach a cruising range of 403 kilometers based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

On the other hand, the Dongfeng EM26 EV Cargo Van is ideal for courier and logistics companies as it can carry 1,360 kilograms in its 5.6 cubic meter cargo space.

It also has a permanent magnet synchronous motor driving the rear wheels and can produce a maximum power of 95 Ps and 230Nm of torque. The battery pack is a 41.9-kWh lithium iron phosphate that provides a range of 220 kilometers.

Ravelo said eSakay’s partnership with PilipinasAuto would allow them to be catalysts of green mobility to protect and preserve our planet.

“Our strategic collaboration with PilipinasAuto underscores eSakay’s continuing commitment to promote the country’s important transition to electrified transport. It also highlights and heightens our pledge to provide our clients with top-notch, reliable, and fit-for-purpose electric vehicles, supported by requisite charging infrastructure solutions. This is all geared towards enabling our clients to enhance their operations while advancing their sustainability agenda,” he said.

With the Green Mobility Program, Meralco initiated its big leap towards the full electrification of its vehicle fleet as part of its commitment to utilize greener and more sustainable transportation solutions.

“Beyond delivering accessible and reliable electricity service to households and businesses, we, in Meralco, are also at the forefront of providing sustainable solutions to our customers. With our important and intensified shift to vehicle electrification, we hope to influence and inspire others to follow suit and to likewise embed sustainability in their operations,” Ravelo said.

eSakay is the green mobility arm of Meralco that provides end-to-end EV and charging infrastructure solutions for institutional customers and the riding public.