QEV Philippines signed an agreement with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., the country’s second largest oil company, to put up the first electric vehicle fast charging infrastructure network in the country.
QEV, a partnership between businessmen Endika Aboitiz and Enrique Banuelos, signed the agreement with Pilipinas Shell chief executive officer and president Cesar Romero.
“The agreement calls for an initial 100 pilot sites for the EV charging posts,” QEV said in a statement on Friday.
The first installations of the charging stations will be put up in December.
ABB, the Swiss multinational company specializing in robotics power and automation technology areas, will supply the charging posts. ABB has installed EV charging posts across Europe and in many parts of the world.
Electric vehicles have been around in the country since 2008. The country started with electric jeepneys that plied the Makati Green Route.
QEV said one of the main reasons for the slow uptake of electric vehicles was the lack of supporting charging infrastructure.
To address this, QEV set its sights to establish the first EV charging infrastructure network in the Philippines.
Pilipinas Shell, through parent firm Royal Dutch/Shell Group, has put up electric vehicle charging stations, mainly in the Netherlands and Great Britain.
“With electric cars increasing in popularity and the fast transition of car fleets from combustion engines to electric, Shell is making the bold move to quickly adapt in an ever changing automobile market,” QEV said.
QEV worldwide aims to promote a sustainable solution for healthier, cleaner cities by reducing the amount of carbon emissions in the air brought about by transportation.
“With the growing problem of climate change, QEV seeks to spearhead the green electro-mobility movement in emerging countries such as the Philippines,” it said.
The Two companies signed the agreement in the presence of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
“You come up with a better, safer vehicle for the public. Drivers will earn more so it’s a win-win for all,” Cusi said.