During the launch of the BYD Seal sports sedan, Carla Buencamino revealed, “At ACMobility, we recognize that creating a seamless electric vehicle experience goes beyond just introducing EVs. It is about building an entire ecosystem that supports its use.”

She shares that from just 20 charging points at the start of 2024, ACMobility is on track to grow that over tenfold to 250+ charge points in over 100 locations nationwide by the end of the year.

“We are strategically placing these [charging] stations in very premium and high traffic areas such as shopping centers, offices, parking zones, residential complexes, and transportation hubs. This is to ensure that charging is convenient and accessible to everyone.”

In addition, Buencamino says the company wants to become a “comprehensive platform for EV charging solutions.” As a result, they will be ready to provide charging solutions whether it be private (home), public, or industrial use.

This includes Power on Wheels, a mobile charging van designed to top up EVs for owners who may not have easy access to a charging station such as condo dwellers. Done in partnership with Singapore-based Power Up, they are essentially large mobile power banks. In Singapore, they charge EVs up to 80 percent using vans are fitted with a 160-kWh power pack. They can top up a BYD Atto 3 from 20 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

To do this, ACMobility will leverage on two other Ayala subsidiaries—Greenstrum and Evro. Greenstrum is a systems integrator that provides various AC and DC charging solutions including installation and maintenance. Evro, on the other hand, is an electric mobility service provider that will be deployed at all ACMobility charging stations unifying the charging experience through a single app. The app will let EV users discover charging locations, hold (reserve) them, manage their sessions, and make cashless payment.

That final feature—cashless payment—is apparently key to Buencamino’s announcement.

With GCash being the country’s leading cashless payment provider, ACMobility chargers will no longer be free. Starting December 2024,thanks to a tie up with GCash, the use of ACMobility chargers located in the National Capital Region (NCR) will now entail a fee for both its hold and use. These rates, which will be announced formally soon, will be close to current market rates and abide by the mandates of the DOE.

Credit cards (based on the Evro app) will also be accepted as a mode for payment.

“This initiative will enable us to enhance our services and to grow our EV network,” says Buencamino. “This is to ensure we can provide a reliable and sustainable charging experience for everyone.

Luckily, if you are purchasing a BYD from November 1 to December 31, 2024, ACMobility will be throwing in a P 1,500 charging credit to help you get on your way. Oddly enough, no mention if they’d be extending them same to the vastly more expensive Kia EV6 and EV9.