ACMobility, Basic Energy partner to boost EV charging infra for public transport

While public EV charging is already proving to be somewhat difficult even with charging stations already dotted around major cities in the country, it’s becoming an even bigger challenge with the growing number of fully electric public transportation vehicles like taxis.

A partnership between ACMobility, the Ayala Corporation’s mobility subsidiary and one of the largest operators of EV charging stations in the country, and Basic Energy Corporation, could put an end to this growing problem.

Before we get into that, Basic Energy Corporation is set to help transport groups by providing electric buses with zero upfront costs, and vehicle ownership after five years, in line with their Iwas Taas Pamasahe Transport Solutions Program. As part of the partnership, ACMobility will develop EV charging stations along key routes that can cater not only to electric buses for public transport, but also to private vehicles. 

Basic Energy and ACMobility earlier partnered to open EV charging stations at the EcoOil Alabang and the Total NLEX Northbound gas stations, and will soon be expanding with a new charging station at the Total SLEX Northbound.

The two companies are also exploring several other strategic locations in Mandaluyong City, Cainta, Barangka in Marikina City, and along Sumulong Highway in Rizal. Strategic corridors are also being strengthened, with planned installations in E. Rodriguez and Visayas Avenues in Quezon City, Newport City in Pasay City, and along EDSA, one of the country’s busiest thoroughfares.

“Our transition to electric mobility can only be complete if we also electrify public transport. Through our partnership with Basic Energy, we are building an EV charging network that powers not just private vehicles but also public transportation fleets from North to South. This is at the core of ACMobility’s mission to build a comprehensive electric mobility system in the Philippines,” said ACMobility Head of Mobility Infrastructure Carla Buencamino.

With charging stations now becoming a battlefield not only between battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) owners, but also with BEV taxi drivers, the expansion of charging stations in key locations is certainly a welcome development, much more so now with the introduction of electric buses.