You might be wondering, can you really drive your electric vehicle (EV) from Metro Manila to Baguio without any worries? The answer is yes. In fact, you can power up your car “e-nywhere” out of the 27 SM malls that offer EV charging stations nationwide.
This makes SM Supermalls, part of SM Investments, the biggest chain of malls in the country to offer this service.
“The EV charging stations in SM Supermalls are one of the sustainability initiatives under the SM Green Movement. Aside from advocating air conservation and clean energy through this innovation, we champion solid waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and disaster resilience for a greener, safer tomorrow” said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls president.
EVs have been making the rounds across the Americas and Europe in recent years. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive your own EV in the Philippines? Where could it take you? What happens if you run out of charge?
Now, let’s say you just bought your new ride; can you actually take it to Baguio without a hitch? A one-way drive from SM Mall of Asia to SM Baguio is approximately 300 km. That single trip takes around six hours, including restroom breaks and other necessary stopovers.
Generally, the new EVs in our country would need considerable time to charge through 100 km of travel. You would have to allot at least 30 minutes on average if you consider the battery capacity of your car. If your car battery is fully drained, you might need to charge it for about half a day.
SM currently has 27 EV charging stations nationwide, mostly equipped with Wallbox Type 2 plugs. You can bring your own adapter, while SM Baguio uses Tritium which can refill the car’s battery within an hour. It’s time to focus on alternatives to reduce our carbon emissions, conserve energy, and safeguard the environment. Some of the EV charging stations are also available in SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Trece Martires, and Sky Ranch Tagaytay.
Charge for free at SM malls
Additionally, these urban centers have been energy-efficient and can power their operations throughout the day, which makes all of SM’s EV charging stations free of charge nationwide. From Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao you can charge your electric car without the fear of paying a hefty amount.
True to its mandate, SM continues to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible to Filipinos. Going green shouldn’t be as expensive as the daily outlays. That’s why the company has been ramping up the initiatives to revolutionize our transportation and carbon minimization. Vacations would cost less now that EV charging stations are spreading throughout the provincial malls.
To know more about SM’s EV charging stations, check out https://www.smsupermalls.com/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-terms-and-conditions. (Story and photos courtesy of SM Investments)