Top Electric Cars or EV coming in the Philippines for 2019

So which major electric cars are coming to the Philippines first? We list the down the very possible and confirmed EVs to hit the road first. The list includes the one previewed and announced this year as well as the top-selling EVs already available from China, USA, and Europe.

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With the Philippine government currently starting to exempt tariffs or giving big tax discounts for EVs and hybrids thru TRAIN law, more major car brands are now looking into launching their electric cars locally. More fuel or gasoline stations are also starting to install charging stations with a bigger expansion to start next year.

List of Best EV or Electric Cars coming to the Philippines

We list down the best and cheapest EVs or electrics that might be launched here in our country. There is no guarantee that each item will successfully become available except for models that are confirmed by their brands and already available like the BYD E6.

Please note that prices, charging time, and range may vary depending on the tax incentives, level and type of power supply, and condition you drive at, respectively.

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Nissan Leaf 2018 (2nd generation)

• Range: 243 kilometers (151 miles)
• Power: 147 horsepower
• Torque: 320 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 40 kWh
• Charging: 7.5 hours full charging via 220V wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 30min quick charge for 144km range via 440V
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 8.9 seconds
• Body type: 5-door hatchback
• Price: $29,990 before tax discount, estimate at Php 1.5M to 1.9M Philippine SRP
• Release date: 2018 available in the USA and Europe

Since its introduction in 2010, the first generation Nissan Leaf in 2010 has become the most sold EV since to date. The second generation or the Nissan Leaf 2018 was introduced in Europe and North America this year and will soon hit the other countries including major Asian countries like China.

As for the Philippines release date, we expect that in 2019 the Japanese-company may give some hints on when the Nissan Leaf will arrive. Our estimate is that we will have a full government incentive on the purely electric Leaf and will get a price of about P1,500,000 to P1,800,000 Philippine pesos.

Nissan Sylphy ZE

• Range: 338 kilometers (210 miles)
• Power: est. 200 HP to 250 HP
• Torque: est. 400 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 60 to 90 kWh estimated
• Charging: 10 hours to 16 hours at home or station
• Fast charging: to be disclosed
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: est. 6 to 8 seconds
• Body type: Sedan
• Price: estimated at Php 2M to 2.5M in Philippine SRP
• Release date: 2019 availability in China only

Launched this year, the all-electric Sylphy is scheduled to arrive in China by early 2019 and could hit the road of other countries by the start of 2020. The sedan is based on Leaf with an estimated range of 338 kilometers on a single charge.

Hyundai Kona EV 2019

• Range: 415 kilometers (258 miles)
• Power: 201 horsepower
• Torque: 283 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 64 kWh
• Charging: 10.5 hours full charging via 7.2kW wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 80% in 54 minutes via 100kW DC
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 7.6 seconds
• Body type: 5-door hatchback
• Price: $39,990 before tax discount, estimated at PHP 2.5 million pesos Philippine SRP
• Release date: January 2019 available in the USA and select countries

After launching in the USA and soon hitting retailers, the Hyundai Kona is a sub-compact crossover that will surely rival the Leaf and Chevy’s Bolt, thanks to its entry-level price but long-range output.

Hyundai Philippines has already launched the petrol or gas-powered Kona locally and we eventually see the electric or hybrid Kona by next year. If we’re lucky, we will get a base model with the same price as the Hyundai Ioniq electric for roughly P1,999,990 Philippine pesos SRP.

Hyundai Ioniq all-electric

• Range: 200 kilometers (124 miles)
• Power: 118 horsepower
• Torque: 295 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 28 kWh
• Charging: 5 hours full charging via 6.6kW wall charger at home or station
• Quick charging: 50% in 20 minutes via 70kW DC
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 9.9 seconds
• Body type: 4-door sedan
• Price: $29,990 before tax discount, estimate at Php 1.9 million Philippine SRP
• Release date: 2018 available in the USA and select countries

After getting a P1,500,000 price confirmation for the hybrid Ioniq, Hyundai Philippines has given hints about the all-electric Ioniq. Starting this 2019, we may hear more details on when will the Ioniq EV will really arrive in our shore. For the meantime, Hyundai promises a competitive pricing for the EV due to government incentives covering electric and hybrid cars. The Ioniq is already rolling in the USA competing with Toyota Prius hybrid.

Chevrolet Bolt 2017

• Range: 383 kilometers (238 miles)
• Power: 200 horsepower
• Torque: 360 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 60 kWh
• Charging: 9.5 hours via 220V AC wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 60% in 1 hour via DC fast charging stations
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 6.5 seconds
• Body type: sub-compact crossover
• Price: $37,000 before tax discount, estimated at PHP 2.2 to 2.4 million pesos Philippine SRP
• Release date: 2017 available in the USA

The second top-selling budget EV in the USA is from GM which is the Chevrolet Bolt. It has sold thousands of units in North America alone since its debut last year. The Bolt beats the Nissan Leaf in terms of range power but for the costs of a few thousand bucks. It just a matter of time before we may finally see an electrified Chevy in our country. Our guess is a 2020 launch, locally.

Honda Everus HR-V 

Up until today, there is still no specific numbers on how the Honda’s first crossover electric vehicle or EV will perform. The only information we have is that it will follow the styling of the HR-V. It is set to be announced in China this year with other countries to follow.

Tesla Model 3 Standard

• Range: 354 kilometers (220 miles)
• Power: 201 horsepower
• Torque: 350 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 55 kWh
• Charging: 5.5 hours full charging via 11kW AC 2 wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 60% in 40 minutes via 70kW DC
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 5.6 seconds
• Body type: Sedan
• Price: $35,000 before tax discount, estimated at PHP 2 to 2.4 million pesos Philippine SRP
• Release date: January 2019 available in the USA and select countries

Undoubtedly, the most popular EV right now is a Tesla-made Model 3. The current Long range has been shipped already while the Standard, which is likely the one will be released here will start shipping in the USA by early next year. You can buy a Tesla from Hong Kong or Singapore and ship it here in the Philippines, but it will very expensive unless you are the likes of Manny V. Pangilinan, the CEO of PLDT.

BYD E6

• Range: 300 kilometers (220 miles)
• Power: 121 horsepower
• Torque: 450 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 61.4 kWh
• Charging: 5.5 hours full charging via 11kW AC 2 wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 40 minutes full using quick charging setting
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: not available, estimated at 9 seconds
• Body type: MPV / Crossover
• Price: Php 4 million pesos Philippine SRP before tax incentives
• Release date: 2016 available in the Philippines

BYD, a Chinese brand, has already launched an electric MPV / crossover last couple of years in the form of BYD E6. It is a 5-seater EV with a top speed of 140 kph and a range of 300km when the regenerative breaking is on. The only downside for the BYD E6 is the price, it is pegged at P4, 200, 000 when launched–this is the time before the TRAIN law was approved. Right now, we cannot verify if BYD has their tax-free pricing available.

Kia Soul EV

• Range: 179 kilometers (110 miles)
• Power: 109 horsepower
• Torque: 284 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 30 kWh
• Charging: 9.5 hours via 220V AC wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 60% in 1 hour via DC fast charging stations
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 11 seconds
• Body type: sub-compact crossover
• Price: $37,000 before tax discount, estimated at PHP 2.2 to 2.4 million pesos Philippine SRP
• Release date: 2017 available in the USA

The first generation of the Kia Soul EV has been introduced last four years in the stateside. Now, the 2018 model is here and well-priced among the EV lineup in the market. If Kia will bring an EV first in the Philippines, probably it is the Soul EV or the Niro EV.

Kia Niro EV

• Range: 386 kilometers (240 miles)
• Power: 201 horsepower
• Torque: 394 Nm
• Battery Capacity: 64 kWh
• Charging: 10.5 hours via 7.2kW AC wall charger at home or station
• Fast charging: 80% in 45 minutes via 80kW DC fast charging stations
• Acceleration 0 – 100 kph: 7.8 seconds
• Body type: crossover
• Price: $39,900 before tax discount, estimated at PHP 2.2 to 2.4 million pesos Philippine SRP
• Release date: 2019 available in the USA

Based on the Sportage exterior, the Niro EV is a step up from the Soul EV in terms of power and range capacity. The Niro is set to hit the road by early 2019 in the USA. Local Kia retailers may start introducing EVs by next year.