The future has arrived as far as electric vehicles in the Philippines is concerned. Ten years ago, it was just but a dream. Today, we wake up and start to see EVs (electric vehicles) plying our roads alongside regular ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles on a regular basis. Truly, it is a dream come true!
What brought about this sudden shift in the motoring landscape that has been happening not only in the Philippines but around the world? The answer is obvious. The cost of lithium-ion batteries have gone down from $1,100 per kwh in 2013, to around $120 per kwh today. That is a 90-percent decrease in the cost of batteries. Ten years ago, an EV claiming a maximum battery range of 200 km was considered phenomenal. Today, battery range of 400 km in a single charge is the new normal. This addresses the fear of range anxiety among potential EV users. With an average range of 400km found in most EVs nowadays, charging stations have become irrelevant unless you are planning a long road trip. The convenience of home charging in most recently launched EVs due to advances in battery technology, and the drastic reduction in the cost of producing lithium-ion batteries, have propelled the sales of EVs worldwide.
The second major consideration in the surge of the sales of electric vehicles worldwide is the total cost to operate electric vehicles. The major components of an EV are the electric motor and the battery. These two major components are practically maintenance free. You have only tires and brake pads as regular wear and tear items on an EV. But most important of all is fuel savings. I have been getting real world data on fuel savings from friends and neighbors who own EVs. Savings of as much as 80% have been achieved when they started using EVs instead of ICE vehicles. By switching to EVs, you shoot two birds in one stone. First, you are helping in cleaning up the environment. Second, you reduce your fuel cost by as much as 80%.
However, you need to manage your EV for you to enjoy its benefits. Please bear in mind that charging stations are not as available as gasoline stations as in the case of ICE vehicles. Trips should be well-planned. Always consider the distance between you and your destination and other activities that may come along during the day. The average daily drive of a motorist is around 80km per day if you live in a big metropolis like the NCR. See to it that you have enough battery charge that can cover your activities for the day. My personal rule of thumb is that if you plan to drive 80km in a day, you should have at least a battery charge of 200 km or 50% of your battery range of 400km.
The life of your EV are your batteries. Most EV manufacturers give a battery guarantee of 7 to 8 years. With proper care, you can extend the life of your batteries from 10 to 12 years by charging only up to 85% of its total capacity. You only charge to 100% should you plan to go on a long road trip.
Are we then ready for EVs? The answer is a big YES! Now is the best time to get an EV. There is no more range anxiety. Home-charging is enough. Great fuel savings is assured and most importantly, we do our share in cleaning up our environment.
