PGA Cars’ P300-M ‘e-nvestment’ to offer out-of-home charging facilities for growing roster of electrified super cars
PGA Cars, the Philippine importer and distributor of premium brands and super cars, has jumpstarted its electrification program for its automotive business ahead of the anticipated signing of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Evida) into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. Evida is seen to fast-track the local EV industry by providing incentives to automakers, opening up local manufacturing, and facilitating the establishment of necessary infrastructure.
PGA Cars has announced that it has initially invested over P300 million for the construction of facilities specifically designed and equipped to address the unique requirements and safety standards of EVs. The outlay would also go to the acquisition of manufacturer-approved equipment, tools and software, as well as inventories of genuine parts. Additional investments are earmarked to further support the domestic adoption of EVs.
“As we take the lead in ushering sustainable electric mobility in the Philippines, we are building the infrastructure needed to promote the country’s reception of this new technology. By doing this, we are opening possibilities for consumers and stakeholders to embrace a more viable and environmentally responsible way by which to use resources,” said Roberto Coyiuto III, PGA Cars Chairman, in a statement.
Established in 1995 as the Philippine partner of Porsche, and later on of Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley, PGA Cars is now engaged in various initiatives aiming to achieve carbon neutrality, one of which is promoting the use of fully electric vehicles through its “FutureNow” program. It offers the fully electric Audi e-tron range (e-tron SUV, e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT) and the Porsche Taycan. It will soon also offer electrified versions from Lamborghini and Bentley.
All PGA Cars showrooms and service centers are equipped with charging facilities, which Porsche and Audi owners can use for free. A high-speed direct current (DC) charger—the first in the country—is also available for use at PGA Cars Greenhills.
“PGA Cars is working with property developers in installing chargers in hotels, restaurants and malls outside Metro Manila—like in Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga and Baguio. The chargers operate on alternating current (AC) and have Type 2 plugs, the standard for EU markets. The chargers and plugs can be used by both Porsche and Audi,” said Coyiuto.
‘E-migration’
Full electric Audi e-tron and Porsche Taycan in the Philippines have been well-received by Audi and Porsche enthusiasts. Coyiuto told this writer: “At present, PGA Cars’ Taycan and e-tron customers are also owners of Porsche’s and Audi’s combustion engine models, reflecting the trend in markets worldwide. Of course, Porsche and Audi EVs are also drawing new customers, which is expected to happen locally, too.”
Coyiuto explained that every fully electric Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron model come with portable chargers as standard.
“While some applications may require an adaptor, in most cases the charger can be plugged into any household socket. In addition—reflecting international studies that find more than 80 percent of EVs are charged at home—most owners opt to have a home-charging system installed. PGA Cars facilitates the inspection and installation of these home-charging systems,” said Coyiuto.
Bigger share of the pie
Coyiuto said that Porsche expects half of its global deliveries in 2025 to be composed of electrified models (Porsche sold 301,915 vehicles in 2021), rising to 80 percent by 2030. Globally, Audi launched more electric models than conventional cars in 2021. By 2025 it aims to have more than 20 fully electric and 10 partially electric models in its lineup. Starting in 2026, the only new models Audi will launch are fully electric, and will phase out production of its internal combustion engines by 2033.
“While it’s difficult to project absolute numbers, we can also assume that as Porsche and Audi increasingly transition their products into sustainable fully electric models, the number of people who will adopt these vehicles will increase accordingly,” said Coyiuto.
Porsche has been offering the fully electric Taycan in the Philippines since 2020, and demand for the four-door sports car has consistently increased since then. Leveraging on this momentum, Audi has recently introduced the fully electric e-tron SUV, e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT in the country. To date, Porsche is the only global brand to have sold in any relevant number a fully electric-powered car in the Philippines—an achievement which Audi is expected to duplicate this year.
Porsche is also set to expand the Taycan range in the Philippines this year, with other fully electric Porsche models to follow. Electrified models from Bentley are also expected to arrive in the country later in the year, with Lamborghini’s own electrified model coming next year. Fully electric models from Lamborghini and Bentley are scheduled to be launched around 2025.
To support this, PGA Cars is progressively installing charging facilities in key destinations to complement the residential charging solutions preferred by the majority of EV owners.
Alongside PGA Cars’ commitment to electromobility is its increased stake in personnel development. It says it is also investing in the training of its workforce, which is conducted by the headquarters of PGA Cars’ brands in Germany, Italy and England. Recognized with the highest-level certifications from the factories, PGA Cars’ technicians are properly equipped to service specialized EVs—an essential component in the auto industry’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
