AboitizPower, already one of the country's leaders in renewable energy, put sustainability a few notches higher after it began electric vehicle fleet transformation.

It has formally inaugurated its electric vehicle fleet transformation program, an initiative aligned with the Philippine government's push for more sustainable transportation solutions.

Hosted at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Quezon City, the event unveils the company's commitment to Republic Act 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.

Under the act, industrial and commercial entities are mandated to ensure that at least five percent of their fleets are electric vehicles.

AboitizPower President and CEO Manny Rubio emphasized the necessity for industry leaders to adapt and innovate in light of pressing global issues such as climate change and urbanization.

Rubio stated, "As a leader in the energy industry, we want to incorporate innovations that will improve the efficiency and sustainability of our operations." According to him, the mobility sector consumes a significant 31.3 percent of the total final energy in the Philippines, contributing substantially to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The company's fresh batch of EVs is manufactured by BYD, a pioneer in the electric mobility sector.

The vehicles in question, T3, are pure electric logistics vehicles that integrate a series of advanced features that are aimed at optimizing performance, safety and utility.

The T3 offers an impressive driving range of up to 300 km on a single charge, powered by BYD's proprietary Blade battery.

This high-capacity 45 kWh battery can be fully charged in just about 1.3 hours using a 50 kW DC charger, offering businesses significant operational advantages. Additionally, the 6.6 kW AC charger provides flexibility in terms of compatibility with various charging infrastructures.

The vehicle is propelled by an AC permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power output of 93 hp and 180 Nm of torque. Hydraulic disc brakes on all four corners, with anti-lock braking system and regenerative braking capabilities, further augment the T3's safety profile.

AboitizPower Distribution Utilities COO Anton Perdices indicated that the BYD T3s will be deployed in the cities where AboitizPower's distribution utilities operate, namely Visayan Electric, Davao Light and Cotabato Light.

"We aim to achieve 40 percent electrification for our four-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes by 2030 and finally transform and electrify 100 percent of the AboitizPower DU fleet by 2040," he disclosed.

This initiative resonates well with AboitizPower's broader strategy to increase renewable energy capacity.

The company is already planning to add 3,700 megawatts of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, to its energy portfolio within the next decade.

According to Perdices, electrification of their fleet serves dual objectives: reducing carbon emissions and lowering operational costs, while contributing to cleaner air in urban areas.

The company boasts the largest and most diverse renewable energy platform in the Philippines. Nearly 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms, are reportedly in the development pipeline.