By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA is taking a step toward electric mobility as Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso inaugurated the city’s first public electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Manila City Hall on Monday, opening a new charging option for motorists as demand for electric vehicles grows.
The facility, established through a partnership between the Manila City Government and ACMobility, the electric vehicle infrastructure arm of the AC Enterprises group, offers both fast and standard charging services to EV owners, including those without private charging facilities.
Located at Manila City Hall, the station is equipped with a 30-kilowatt direct-current (DC) charger for faster charging and a 22-kilowatt alternating-current (AC) charger for standard charging.
Domagoso said the project reflects the city government’s decision to anticipate future transportation needs and work with private companies to develop infrastructure despite limited public resources.
“Here is the proof where the government is looking at the future, looking at future problems, and there will be,” Domagoso said. “But in the absence of resources, or with limited resources, we work with the private sector.”
The mayor said the charging station would help ease range anxiety among EV owners worried about battery depletion while navigating Manila’s congested streets, particularly when public charging facilities are limited.
“Hindi ka na kakabahan na, baka mamaya, ma-traffic ako, wala akong charging station,” Domagoso said, stressing that the City Hall facility is open to the general public.
Unlike charging points inside private establishments, the new station provides an additional public charging option for motorists who need to recharge their vehicles while in the city.
ACMobility, which operates more than 200 EV charging hub locations and over 600 charge points nationwide, plans to expand its charging network in Manila before the end of 2026.
The company is preparing to establish additional charging stations at Bagong Ospital ng Maynila and Sta. Ana Hospital, extending the reach of public EV infrastructure to other parts of the capital.
Domagoso thanked ACMobility for partnering with the city government, citing public-private cooperation as a way to develop infrastructure in preparation for an increasingly electrified transportation sector.
Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza joined Domagoso and ACMobility representatives at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kartilya ng Katipunan.
The inauguration puts Manila City Hall at the forefront of the city’s initial rollout of public EV charging facilities, with further expansion planned before the year ends.
ia/xf
