Steady wins the race. With the help of industry titan, the Ayala Corporation, the seeds for a healthy EV ecosystem in the Philippines are already being planted. 

The Asian Development Bank reports that according to the Philippines’ Department of Energy, there are an estimated nine thousand EVs and three hundred charging stations in the Philippines, with electric motorcycles comprising most of this number, and electric cars only making up 1% of the market.  

The challenge to moving forward with EVs in the country is fundamental: there must be a stable ecosystem in which EVs may thrive. The good news is: with the help of industry leaders and support from the country’s government, plans for building a healthy ecosystem for embracing EVs can push forward. 

Enter the Ayala Corporation, the oldest and largest conglomerate in the Philippines. With its diverse portfolio of businesses, Ayala can be found in real estate, retail, banking, telecommunications, healthcare management, business processing outsourcing, electronics, information technology, and automotive. 

The corporation has been planting the seeds of an EV ecosystem in the Philippines for some time now, and in 2023, Ayala is ramping up its efforts to accelerate growth for EVs in the country. 

At the forefront of Ayala’s EV initiatives is IMI, their electronics manufacturing solutions arm. IMI is one of the top EMS companies in the world and is more than ready to take on the challenge of building a sturdy ecosystem in the country. IMI’s expertise covers power modules, battery management systems, EV motorcycle assembly, and EV chargers.

Entering the EV segment

In June 2022, Ayala confirmed that it is entering the BEV sphere at the opening of AC Motors Centrale in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. A one-stop shopping hub for motorcycles and automobiles, the shop will “play a pivotal role [in entering] the next stage of mobility and electrification.” This is according to ACI president and CEO Arthur “Art” Tan during the launch program. 

Under AC Motors are brands such as Kia, Honda, Isuzu, and Volkswagen. Consumers may anticipate AC Motors Centrale to carry EV models rolled out by these leading OEMs very soon. 

Motorcycles leading the Pack

Since motorcycles comprise most of the EV vehicles segment in the Philippines, there is a robust interest in supporting this segment not only in the country but globally. In March 2023, Ayala partnered with Zero Motorcycle Corp. The American firm signed a $250M agreement to invest in the manufacture of electric motorcycles for export. 

A projected 18,000 e-motorcycle units a year will be made in five years, with their plant located in Laguna, and is expected to generate $65M in annual revenues. This will be possible through Ayala’s electronics manufacturing solutions arm, IMI. Production is set by June 2023, with units ready for rollout in 2024 through AC Industrials. 

Speaking with Manila Bulletin, CEO of Zero Motorcycles Corp, Sam Paschel said, “Expanding our manufacturing footprint into a new region allows us to efficiently scale up to meet the rapidly growing demand for our products and improve customer delivery and satisfaction in the fast-growing EV market. We are thrilled to partner with IMI and bring their expertise in electronics manufacturing and motorcycle assembly to the Zero Motorcycles line-up of products.”

(Also read: IMI and Zero Motorcycles Announce Strategic Manufacturing Collaboration)

Building an EV Ecosystem

Sturdy support for government projects can help accelerate the execution and implementation of plans for carbon neutrality in the country. With more corporations signing on and taking on the global challenge, Ayala is leading the way by not only growing its EV vehicle segment but building the infrastructure that will support it. 

The sentiment is echoed by the Philippines Department of Energy director, Patrick Aquino. He said, “The government cannot do it alone. We need private partnerships that employ commercially viable and efficient solutions that will address our country’s need to hasten and move towards carbon neutrality.”

The country needs to be prepared to transition to EVs, and this can happen if there are enough EV charging stations in the Philippines to encourage people to go electronic. Nobody understands this more than Ayala, who already has charging stations in selected locations around Metro Manila and Cavite. 

The first integrated EV charging station installed by Ayala was in December 2021, at Ayala 30th Mall in Pasig City, Metro Manila. This was a collaboration between IMI, AyalaLand, TGOOD, Greenstrum, and Global Electric Transport (GET). 

Speaking with Philstar Global, Arthur Tan said, “In the EV shift, the vehicle itself is just one part of the ecosystem. An EV cannot run without power supply or charging infrastructure. These, among many other components of the EV ecosystem, are what we have been working hard to address.” 

Ayala is more than capable of forging a steady path toward the electrification of vehicles in the country. From manufacturing to retail, the corporation is there every renewable step of the way. It has been full steam ahead so far, and rest assured that there’s steady work being done to ensure a bright EV future for Filipinos.

(Also read: IMI Powers the First Integrated EV Charging and Transport System For The Ayala Group)

As one of the Top 19 EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions. 

We are ready to support your business on a global scale.

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner. 

Let's work together to build our future today.