Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Top reasons why electric cars aren't suitable in Philippine roads



On the wish list of every financially capable driver is a Tesla or some other electric car because of the high-price of fuel in the Philippines! There is an oversight somewhere and it should be cleared up before investing in a PHEV or EV which is important to address too. The media is continually hyping electric cars without giving vital information that is critical before diving into this bandwagon. Let the Top reasons why electric cars aren't suitable on Philippine roads that every motorist should know! This is not against the idea of progress but education about how EV cars work and what's needed to effectively use them. Seriously, getting a Tesla is not about buying a expensive new toy that is for show Some may disagree and some may not, but we don't need electric cars as fancy status symbols or expensive toys to park at a Starbucks. To make everything very crystal clear and demystify why EVs are the "IN" thing. Here is what important to know!

A. The sale of EVs are tied in with the ability to supply enough lithium ion and nickel metal hydride batteries. Most car makers who have EVs and PHEVs are limited by how many batteries can be supplied to the customers. The Philippines is not prime market and will not be a priority yet! 

B. EVs to be sold here will be the lower spec battery. EVs like the Nissan Leaf will be replaced by the Leaf+ which has a bigger battery. Many of them are headed for the lucrative European market, not in Asia. We're getting the lower spec 40 kWh Leaf here and it will not have everything on the European or American version. Plus, the Leaf will be sold at a discount in Europe not in the Philippines. The ranges of the models sold is nor fully disclosed! 

C. Battery disposal will be an issue for environmental concerns. How to deal with spent car batteries will be a big issue that needs compliance, especially for our government that has no policy about EVs altogether! 

D. Car dealerships have a chance to corner car EVSEs sold because they will be the sole distributors. These dealership can charge more for installation and even charge a lot for charging EVs on their lots. Pricing will not be standardized and EV owners will face highway robbery. Instead of making EV a liberating technology, it will be a cash cow! Which goes against making EVs something that is affordable and utilitarian. 

E. It will cost to make charging network that will shackle EV car owners to onerous expenses. In other countries, charging networks are free because their governments know the long-term benefits of EVs. We need visionary architects to build a charging network that is beneficial for the wide use of EVs, which there is a lack of. Only big businesses and monopolies that will corner the EVSE and charging network market that will work against the full use of EVs in our country. 

F. Filipino drivers should stop considering electric cars as the next best gadget to be had! The propensity for showing off the newest tech, like an electric car is wrong. This is not a toy that is flaunted, but a utilitarian machine that has been developed to help everyone progress and be more green motivated.

G. Car dealers will not be adept at knowing their product! Expect a lack of information from sales reps about the finer qualities of EVs on display. They will not have all the information and worse do not understand the technology they are faced with! There's a lot riding on the successful implementation of EV cars which needs more to work on! It's too premature to sell them here, considering the prevailing attitude. Consider these top reasons why electric cars aren't suitable on Philippine roads which is something to think about!

© Photo by Linnaea Malette

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This is my personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own. In addition, my thoughts and opinions change from time to time I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This blog disclaimer is subject to change at anytime without notifications.