AS auto manufacturers strive to reduce carbon emissions from their fleets and join the green transport revolution, the good news for consumers is that more electric vehicles (EVs) are on the way.
Several factors continue to drive consumer demand for EVs: a lot cheaper to recharge, reduce carbon footprint, more efficient with energy and low maintenance.
Electric car technology has made great strides, going from a fringe luxury product to the new standard in automotive manufacturing. EVs now include sports cars, freight trucks, bicycles and other products designed to make travel easier, quicker and more eco-friendly.
At the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), which will be held on April 13-16, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, 18 of the biggest automotive brands in the country that are helping increase mobility while reducing their energy footprint will be featured: BYD, Changan, Chery, Chevrolet, Ford, Foton, GAC, Geely, Great Wall, Hyundai, JAC, Jetour, JMC, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot and Subaru. Aside from EVs, these companies will also present their new gas-powered or internal combustion engine vehicles.
Here are just a few EVs that are due to hit showrooms this year that could be worth the wait.
Chery Ice Cream
A popular small electric vehicle, the Ice Cream is available in four variants – deliciously called Pudding, Cone, Sundae and Joyous Peach – for as low as $5,000. Made by Chinese car maker Chery, Ice Cream will be sold under Jetour, one of Chery’s many overseas brands.
Buyers who snap up these small EVs prefer practicality rather than appearance. The Ice Cream has a “city range”, meaning it has enough juice to do daily commutes running with conveniences like air conditioning and radio. A common car in Manila will do approximately 15-20 km (9-12 miles) a day and idle in traffic between 30 minutes to one hour in normal hours and twice that in the rush-hour melee. The Ice Cream has two versions – one that can do 120 km (74 miles) and another at 170 km (105 miles) on a single charge.
The Ice Cream (117.3 inches in length; 58.9 in, width; 64.4 in, height) is propelled by a 27hp 20kw motor directly hooked into a solid axle transmission in the car’s rear. The floor-mounted lithium ion battery pack is connected to the controller box found in the vehicle’s front.
Under current Philippine policies, the Chery Ice Cream will find import duty exemptions which could drive the price down. Importations from China add on 30 percent levies but the Philippine Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act got a recent boost when President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed an order to remove tariffs on imported battery-electric automobiles. This means 0 percent taxes on completely built-up electric EVs. The same order reduces rates on parts. Exemption applies to all EVs for a five-year period.
Peugeot e-2008
The compact electric SUV is powered by an electric motor that produces 130hp and 260Nm of torque. It also comes with a 50kWh battery that enables a range of 345 km. The Peugeot e-2008 can be charged to 80 percent for as fast as 30 minutes using a 100kW DC charger.
In terms of design, the e-2008 features the same powerful stance as its petrol version but distinguished by a body-colored checkered front grille with an “e” monogram on the front side panel and tailgate.
It also comes with the new Peugeot i-Cockpit that includes a compact steering wheel, 10-inch HD capacitive touchscreen and 3D digital dash, making driving intuitive and convenient.
According to Peugeot, the entry of the e-2008 in the local market ushers in the era of electrification of the brand’s lineup in the Philippines.
GAC Emkoo
The Chinese brand GAC returns to MIAS with its full range of vehicles: GS4 compact SUV, GN6 MPV, the all-new GS8 mid-sized SUV and Empow GE which has 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters, power folding mirrors and a full suite of advanced driving assist systems and safety features.
Making its Philippine debut is the Emkoo five-seater SUV. It has three engine options: a 1.5 liter turbo-charged gasoline engine, a two-liter turbo-charged gasoline engine and a mild hybrid two-liter engine with an electric motor. It features an advanced driver assistance system and 14.6-inch central screen.
GAC describes the 2023 Emkoo as the expression of its bold and futuristic new style for its global SUVs.
Nissan X-Trail e-Power
The 2023 Nissan X-Trail features the second generation e-Power system, which delivers improved power and smoothness. e-Power was introduced in the local market with the 2022 Nissan Kicks.
Similar to the Nissan Kicks, the X-Trail also comes with the e-Pedal Step. With this feature, drivers only need to use the accelerator panel to speed up or slow down. This makes driving much more convenient because there is less of a need to switch from one pedal to another.
The seven-seater X-Trail delivers enhanced acceleration, cornering and braking capabilities, thanks to the e-4ORCE technology that combines Nissan’s electric power, four-wheel drive management and chassis control technologies.
Great Wall Haval H6 and Jolion
Great Wall enters the crossover arena with the Haval H6 and Jolion. Not only do both vehicles feature a stylish and high-tech design, but the two are also hybrid EVs which are fuel efficient, produce fewer emissions and deliver quick acceleration.
The Haval H6, the Chinese auto manufacturer’s flagship model in the Philippines, is built on a cutting-edge platform that has earned excellent safety ratings and perfectly fits with new energy powertrains.
Under its hood is a 1.5-liter turbo-charged internal combustion engine mated to a 130kW dedicated hybrid transmission. It produces a combined output of 240hp and 530Nm of torque. This hybrid system enables smoother power delivery, reduced carbon emissions and 35-50 percent fuel savings.
The Haval H6 also comes with an advanced driver-assistance system such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and fatigue monitoring standard.
Haval Jolion, the brand’s most innovative premium B-SUV, is based on the same platform as the Haval H6. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated internal combustion engine paired with a 115kW dedicated hybrid transmission, allowing it to deliver a combined output of 186hp and 375Nm of torque.
It offers a driver-centric cockpit with ergonomic seats, a large multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and wireless charging. It also has a 360-degree around view monitor, adaptive cruise control and level 2 autonomous driving capabilities.
BYD Atto 3
Available in some European countries, the Chinese car maker BYD is due to launch in more markets later in the year.
The Atto, an affordable small SUV comes with a 60.5 kWh battery, a 420-km range and cutting edge battery tech. The cobalt-free blade battery uses lithium iron phosphate and claims to be cheaper and 50 percent more energy-dense than a conventional lithium ion unit.
BYD has been making great waves in Asia and if they can keep prices low enough to entice buyers to a relatively unknown car maker they could replicate that success in Europe.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Ioniq 5 comes an all-electric saloon from Hyundai with an all-electric range of up to 614 kilometers.
Thanks to super-fast charging, you can add 351 km of range in just 15 minutes. The Ioniq 6 impresses with excellent safety credentials and was awarded Best in Class in the large family category when tested by the European New Car Assessment Programme.
Hyundai has claimed the World Car of the Year Award two times in a row, with the Ioniq 6 taking top honors for 2023. The Ioniq 5 won it along with two other categories in 2022. The Ioniq 6 repeated those wins, taking the World Car Design of the Year and World Electric Vehicle Awards.
MIAS 2023
Aside from catering to consumers, MIAS (the Philippine version of the Los Angeles Auto Show but more compact) has helped launch new and, at times, iconic models and auto brands.
This year’s theme, “Shaping Mobility”, highlights the auto industry ecosystem working together to improve private transportation and efficiency and increase mobility not just in Metro Manila but throughout the whole country.
Aside from Mobility Marathon, a series of car launches, the event sees the return of the Russ Swift Precision Driving Show as well as the Petron Custom and Classic Car Competition. The Test Drive Avenue allows would-be buyers to try out different cars on the spot while at the Truck Zone, models ideal for logistics and businesses will be showcased. At the registration area, the Die Cast Collection will be on display, while at the foyer, the Car Club Display will whet the appetites of visitors.
For tickets and more information, visit https://manilaautoshow.com.
EVs are definitely the future of automobiles, with more and more car companies turning their long-term goals in that direction. Just recently, Mercedes-Benz predicted that 50 percent of its sales would be from EVs by 2025.
As technology continues to move forward and the world develops solutions to the problems of today, it’s likely that plugging your car in with a charger will become the norm and standing by a fuel dispenser will be a thing of the past.
