By
Lenie Lectura - January 14, 2018
THE Manila Electric Co.
(Meralco) is exploring the possibility if it can expand further its newly
created subsidiary that will be engaged in owning, maintaining and
operating a network of charging stations for electric vehicles (EV).
“Of course, charging
station is a basic entry for Meralco,” Meralco Senior Vice President
Alfredo S. Panlilio said. “But we are looking at if we can participate more in
the entire ecosystem or value chain of EV.”
“We are even thinking
of really creating what we call as M-Transport for EV. Even to the point of
exploring should we get into manufacturing not as only we can JV [joint
venture] with somebody who is into this space. Is it viable for us? Those are
the things that we are looking at. From the sourcing of the EVs whether
e-trikes, e-jeeps or e-bus, or whether private vehicles, is there a partnership
up to the level of operatorship, up to the charging station, up to running the
charging stations?” added Panlilio, who is also head of Meralco’s customer
retail services and corporate communications.
Meralco said the new
subsidiary’s network will also serve batteries and vehicles using electric
energy and other alternative energy sources.
The utility firm plans
to put up the charging stations within the distribution utility’s franchise
area. Panlilio said a prototype charging station has been put up way back in
2011.
“We’re being
opportunistic on certain projects,” Panlilio said. He cited Meralco’s current
project with the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and
Shangri-La hotels. “[We’re] looking at Net One to put up a charging station
there [Shangri-La],” Panlilio added. “I guess what we are doing is we are not
going massively [at] first.”
He explained that
Meralco is still “identifying two to three proof of concepts.” One of these is
the Mandaluyong local government unit. I think we are talking about 3,000
e-trikes to 4,000 e-trikes, according to Panlilio.
“Right now, maybe
e-trikes will be the main focus because it is the easiest to get into,” he
added. “It’s more difficult if you go into e-bus and e-jeeps because it’s a
total redesign of the vehicles.”
In the future, Meralco
may consider taking in partner to manufacture EVs. “We are also learning the
industry as we get into it,” Panlilio said. “If we can find a partner
potentially for the manufacturing side, then we can take a look at what are the
numbers that can make it work.”
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