Jamie Alfonso Zobel de Ayala’s ambitious 2030 vision for widespread electric vehicle adoption gained momentum through a partnership with Grab Philippines.
The eighth-generation Zobel, who leads the Ayala Group’s AC Mobility, will provide an initial fleet of six Dolphin cars made by China’s BYD to support Grab’s pioneering EV study. The program aims to test the viability of EVs in the public transport sector.
Grace Vera Cruz, Grab Philippines country head, said the test period will last roughly six weeks.
The study rolls out in Bonifacio Global City, Makati City, Pasay City and Mandaluyong City since these areas have more developed charging infrastructure.
Free EV rides
During this period, Grab’s BYD electric cars will be assigned to regular passengers.
Grab is also investing in the program by providing the trips for free due to the absence of a regulatory framework for EVs and the online ride hailing sector.
“We’re really pushing boundaries with EVs and Ayala,” Cruz told InsiderPH.
Big picture
Ayala is trying to win over skeptical car buyers by showcasing the capabilities of their EV lineup via the partnership with Grab, the dominant ridesharing platform in the Philippines.
The pilot’s success might convince regulators to approve EVs for Grab, bolstering the company’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Will regulator’s act?
Gaps in prevailing regulations prevent the use of EVs as taxis despite the 2022 Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.
A positive development for the industry is President Ferdinand Marcos’ open support for EV adoption. In fact, he recently directed government agencies to convert 10 percent of their car fleets to EVs, showing his strong support for the sector.
Ayala’s EV strategy
Earlier this year, Zobel took charge of AC Mobility, formerly known as AC Motors, and unveiled an ambitious campaign to increase the adoption of battery electric vehicles.
At the forefront is the conglomerate’s partnership with BYD, which has allowed Ayala to corner three out of four EV car sales in the Philippines, he said last April.
By 2030, he expects electric vehicles to account for 20 percent of car sales, with Ayala maintaining its dominant position in the segment.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
