SM SUPERMALLS has unveiled free electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in four malls as part of efforts to entice more Filipinos to switch from fuel-fed cars to a more environment-friendly mode of transportation.
Steven T. Tan, SM Supermalls president, said during the launch of the initiative on Thursday that the EV charging stations are available at SM Aura in Taguig City, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and SM North EDSA in Quezon City.
“We are giving [the use of charging stations] for free to encourage people to shift to EVs,” Mr. Tan said.
Further, Mr. Tan said the company’s plan is to install EV charging stations in all SM Supermalls branches across the country, such as in Clark, Baguio, and Pampanga.
He added that the use of the charging stations will be on a first come, first serve basis for private vehicles.
“The plan is really to roll these out in all of our SM Supermalls in the country. We are deploying two [charging stations] at the moment. But there would be more as demand goes up. We will put up more,” Mr. Tan said.
SM Supermalls said in its website that the chargers available at the charging stations are Wallbox Pulsar Plus 7.4-kilowatt AC Chargers with Type 2 connectors.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tan said that the launch of the new charging stations is timely following the passage of Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which is expected to boost EV ownership in the country.
Under the new law, at least 5% of the vehicle fleets of companies, public transport operators, and government units should be EVs. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
