UK & Europe Edition
August 2013 / Fortnightly
Volume 4 - Number 16
page 26
Connecting Global News & Views For The Community
FORTNIGHTLY
Celeb Scoop
E E FR
www.hello-philippines.com
MANNY V. PANGILINAN’S ELECTRIC CAR IS FIRST TO VOLT IN AND CHARGE AT THE MERALCO eVEHICLE POWER STATION A sleek white sports sedan drove through the driveway of the Meralco building in the Ortigas business district. Unlike the other vehicles that were obvious prototypes, you wouldn’t have guessed that this was an electric vehicle. It’s a Tesla S sedan, which runs at a top speed of 210 kilometers per hour, and which belongs to no other than Meralco Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, also famously referred to as MVP. “Be careful not to scratch the car,” the host at the launch of the Meralco eVehicle Power Station said. “MVP is looking on with caution, he’s like, ‘Don’t touch my car,’” he even joked. Well, with a reported worth of Php 8 million anyone will be wise to take extra caution. But, this is money well spent, as “it’s for a better environment,” Pangilinan told InterAksyon.com later. The Chairman’s car made Philippine automotive history on Tuesday, July 30, as the sedan along with an e-tricycle, e-jeepney, e-bus, and another e-car were among the first vehicles to be charged at the Meralco eVehicle Power Station, the pioneering commercial e-vehicle charging station at LL Gardner Street inside the Meralco compound in Pasig City.
The Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, extreme right, can run for 130 kilometers per hour and is good for 160 kilometers for a full charge.
Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, with his Tesla S. Sedan in the background, delivers his welcome speech at the launching of Meralco’s eVehicle Power Station. Photos by Romsanne Ortiguerro, InterAksyon.com.
Pangilinan mentioned that the Meralco eVehicle Power Station took about 18 months or so in the making. “Meralco had an internal discussion on how we can expand our business and that was when the concept of e-vehicles and a charging station came up,” Pangilinan shared. “So I said, okay our job is to provide a facility—a charging station but beyond that we should try to develop or coordinate with a local manufacturer.”
“We want to be instrumental in building the complete ecosystem for the expected influx of electric vehicles in the country. Meralco will assist in making the electric vehicle charging technology available to interested partner companies and priority sectors like public transport operators,” added Alfred S. Panlilio, SVP and Head of Customer Retail Services and Corporate Communications of Meralco. Pangilinan disclosed that there
are plans to open more e-vehicle charging stations soon, “That’s the plan slowly as the adoption of e-vehicles becomes more wide spread,” he said. “Plus, the idea is to bring down the cost of operating fuel.” The Meralco eVehicle Power Station plays a pivotal role in the company’s vision of a highly electrified future by the year 2021, the Philippines’ 500th year. By that time, MVP foresees growth in the acceptance and use of electric
These e-motorcycles run from about Php27,000 to Php36,000.
Newly opened Meralco eVehicle Power Station at the Meralco compound.
vehicles, promising a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone. In a press statement, Oscar Reyes, President and CEO of Meralco said.”Meralco aims to celebrate 2021, the quincentennial or 500th year of the discovery of the Philippine Islands by the western world, as the year when all the technologies we are exploring today and many more, will be fully operational and improving the lives and livelihood of millions of our customers.
“Our chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, has provided all of us at Meralco the mandate and the guidance to make a bright and energysmart future possible. This includes as an integral part, the prospect of driving an e-vehicle and charging in a smart-grid integrated EV power station which we hope excites you as much as us. The prototype you see today is a product of both hardwork and promise. ■ Ana Valenzuela / Lifestyle Section / InterAksyon.
com / August 1, 2013 / 3:04 PM