The use of electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum in Iloilo, according to Chinese automaker BYD.

Paul Tinsay of BYD Iloilo, in an interview with IMT NEWS, said more customers are switching to full EVs from traditional cars.

EVs, which run on electricity stored in batteries, are more efficient and environmentally friendly, Tinsay stressed.

“Ilonggos are such wise spenders, and all of us realize how much money we can save on being electric or hybrid. Yung fit palang,” he said.

“A lot of people look at the vehicles as hybrids kasi e-vehicles merong baterya and at the same time gasoline engine. But in BYD, we offer both products. Merong gas engine and meron din electric vehicles,” Tinsay added.

BYD is world’s largest manufacturer of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) — those that use both gasoline and electricity as fuel sources — and full EVs.

Furthermore, Tinsay said EVs are way better compared to vehicles that use diesel or gasoline in terms of performance, convenience and maintenance.

“Ang tech ang layo, sobrang layo. While you look at the car itself, it runs on 400 volts architecture. Ang kotse runs on an engine and for you to turn the wheel of a car, you need 2000 moving parts. Ang electric vehicle, ano lang siya 20 moving parts para paandarin yung gulong. Wala kang transmission, wala kang gear, wala kang gear exchange, wala kang fuel pump, wala kang water pump, wala kang any kind of ano,” Tinsay explained.

“Lahat ng customers namin have very good feedback. In fact, more than all of them are looking at their second car para ibenta para to get a new electric vehicle. Talagang ano siya accelerating,” he added.

Is the number of charging stations in Iloilo enough to meet the potential demand?

“Ngayon, for the charging stations, there are a lot of challenges but people are learning to manage their range anxiety and we’re trying to educate everybody na 220 yan, pagdating mo sa bahay i-plug mo lang yan na parang  telepono,” said Tinsay.

“Bago ka matulog you plug your phone, sinasabi namin bago ka pumasok ng bahay iunplug mo. Ganun lang siya, the technology of the battery is so advance, i-plug mo siya 100% everyday, okay na ganun ka tibay yung battery,” he added. 

Robinsons malls in Iloilo as well as in Antique and Roxas City in Capiz offer charging facilities for EVs.

“Ayala will also tap sa mga GT Malls and then slowly we’re also getting into dito sa atin. We have a fast supercharger. It will charge their cars from 20-80% in just 20 minutes,” said Tinsay.

BYD will also install charging stations in Boracay Island and other parts of Aklan province.

Earlier, Department of Energy (DOE) Officer-in-Charge Sharon Garin encouraged motorists to shift to HEVs or EVs amid the soaring fossil fuel prices.IMT