Much has been said about Chinese EV maker BYD, especially about how it is poised to officially overtake American EV brand Tesla in the number of electric vehicles sold by the end of this year. Along with its aggressive global expansion efforts, BYD also made sure it "invaded" the Land of the Rising Sun in grand fashion as it set up the only China-brand pavilion at the recently concluded Japan Mobility Show 2023. Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, must have sur

Up to this point, electric vehicles in the Philippines have predominantly been second cars for the rich. For those who can afford them, EVs usually function as a non-fuel-consuming alternative for taking kids to school, buying groceries, and doing errands. Because of their prohibitive pricing, only a few can consider buying one. And because the affordable ones are either too small or are range-limited, and given our country’s sparse charging station infrastructure, only a few would consider buyi

With more and more government incentives, electric vehicle (EV) prices are going lower and lower. Perhaps the most extreme example is the 2023 Nissan LEAF, which plummeted from a rather eye-watering ₱2,798,000 to a more palatable ₱1,998,000. This puts the LEAF in the firing line of yet another battery-electric hatchback. The 2023 BYD Dolphin, much like the Nissan, has five doors, five seats, and zero emissions. It also has a plush interior and dramatic styling, all for ₱1,688,000. Which of these

With the passing of the EVIDA Law in the Philippines, Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles, or HEV's and BEVs for short, are starting to pop up in the market from all different kinds of manufacturers. The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), Republic Act No. 11697 is primarily focused on developing a manufacturing industry for electric vehicles. It also reinforces the EV-specific importation provisions of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law i

With the average price of electric vehicles in the market being close to ₱3,000,000, it may seem daunting for many mass-market buyers to consider it for their next car purchase. Fear not, because there are some cheap EVs available to the average buyer, and most of them won't cost an arm and a leg. Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Arguably the cheapest is the grey market-sourced Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, priced at ₱650,000 for the Macaron version. With four seats, air conditioning, and a media player (no

The very first story I wrote for AutoFun Philippines, after a four-year hiatus as a motoring journalist, was about Republic Act 11697 or the "Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act." Most legislative stories would bore me (and many of you) half to death, especially when you have to decipher all the provisions of a law. But this particular measure piqued my interest because it provides the framework for the growth of electric vehicles (EV) in the country, from the cars to the charging stations