Cebu now a major force in shift to EV

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu, long known as a key business hub in the Philippines, is quickly becoming a major player in the country’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs).

Spearheaded by the aggressive rollout of BYD, the Chinese automaker backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, the province is setting the pace in both consumer and institutional EV adoption.

The primary legislation in the Philippines that provides incentives for electric vehicle (EV) usage is the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), officially known as Republic Act No. 11697.

Enacted in April 2022, EVIDA establishes a comprehensive framework to promote the adoption and development of EVs in the country.

Recently, the BYD Cebu Group has inaugurated three new dealerships — headlined by the opening of BYD Cebu Central, now the largest BYD showroom in the country.

The expansion, which also includes BYD Cebu IL Corso and BYD Ayala Center Cebu, was capped by a groundbreaking ceremony for a fifth branch in Minglanilla, set to open by year-end. This brings BYD’s Cebu footprint to five locations, underlining its strategic bet on the province as a growth engine.

Since launching in Cebu in April 2024, BYD has sold over 1,000 EVs — a strong showing in a country where the EV market is still growing.

The surge in demand, according to BYD Cebu Group’s Edward Onglatco, reflects the province’s uniquely receptive customer base.

“Cebu has moved beyond early adoption,” Onglatco said at the launch event. “We’re seeing widespread interest from private buyers and institutions alike. Sustainability here is not aspirational — it’s operational.”

Government agencies have been among the early movers. Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival, known for his environmental stance, is reportedly planning to expand the city’s EV portfolio in line with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which aims to drive broader EV adoption nationwide.

This alignment between public sector policy and private sector capability has provided fertile ground for BYD’s accelerated rollout.

Beyond vehicle sales, BYD is investing heavily in infrastructure — a crucial element for EV adoption in island geographies like Cebu. The company has activated more than a dozen fast-charging stations across the province, many through a partnership with retail chain like Prince Warehouse.

Plans are underway to equip all Prince branches with charging capabilities, as well as expand to key transport corridors and RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ports including Toledo City, Bogo City, Dumanjug, and Sogod.

“We’re focused on creating a seamless ownership experience,” said Bob Palanca, Managing Director of BYD Cars Philippines. “From urban centers to inter-island travel, we are building an end-to-end EV ecosystem.”

Each vehicle purchase includes a home wall charger and a portable charging unit. An app-based charging network called EVRO, further simplifies access for customers, reflecting BYD’s integrated mobility strategy.

With more than 1000 units sold in Cebu alone within its first year of operations, BYD has outperformed internal forecasts. Upcoming model launches, including the Sea Lion 6 SUV, are expected to further boost penetration across multiple segments.

Analysts say Cebu could become a model for EV adoption in second-tier cities across Southeast Asia, particularly where infrastructure investment, energy costs, and consumer education converge to create favorable conditions.

BYD’s momentum in Cebu mirrors its global posture. The automaker has made major inroads in Europe and Latin America, and is now leveraging its scale and manufacturing efficiencies to capture share in price-sensitive but fast-developing markets.

The company aims to offer 14 EV models in the Philippines by the end of 2025, ranging from compact hatchbacks to multi-seat family vans.

However, BYD executives acknowledge that continued education will be essential to expanding the market beyond early adopters.

“Once customers experience the performance and cost benefits of full battery electric vehicles, they don’t revert,” said Onglatco. “Operating expenses are up to 80 percent lower than internal combustion vehicles, and range anxiety is increasingly a non-issue.”

As infrastructure scales and price parity approaches, Cebu appears poised to serve as the Philippine EV sector’s bellwether — a proving ground for sustainable mobility that blends market demand, local policy support, and private sector execution.

The Philippine government is also accelerating the roll-out of EV charging stations.

As of November 2022, there are only 900 units of EV chargers in the country but the target is to build this up to 10,000 units by 2025.

Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella earlier said that only 0.001 percent of registered vehicles in the country are electric-powered

In a report, Fuentebella said the government has raised the EV penetration target to 50 percent from 10 percent by 2040.