Driving the Electric State: Are EVs worth the ride?

Getting an EV? There’s a lot to consider before going green.

From Tesla to Kia, electric vehicles (EVs) have been a fairly common sight on local streets.

Manufacturers have been developing their vehicles across the years, leading to their increased popularity. Now, most of these vehicles are marketed to withstand average rains and moderate heat—common weather conditions in the Philippines—and significant improvements on battery life and general performance. 

This focus on development has led to the rapid growth of EV sales and registrations.

During the pre-event press conference for the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit on August 25, Edmund Araga—president of the Electrical Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP)—stated that the total number of registered EVs reached around 29,715 from January to July, based on data gathered by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Araga highly anticipates the number of EV registrants to reach up to 35,000 by the end of 2025.

Yet, despite the interest in EVs today, traditional fuel engines still dominate the streets

This begs the question: is an EV really worth the ride?

It’s the inside that counts

Before delving further, we’ll have to understand how EVs work, and one way to look at this is through its heart—the engine.

The major parts of an EV’s engine include the battery, the inverter, the electric motor, and the rotor. EVs use electricity stored in a large battery placed inside the car. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity from the battery into alternating current (AC) to power the electric motor. The AC electricity then flows to the motor, creating a powerful electromagnetic field that spins the rotor. Finally, the moving rotor spins the wheels connected to the car.

Meanwhile, a traditional vehicle relies on gasoline and fuel burned by an internal combustion engine (ICE). Another category of vehicles is the hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV), which combines the mechanics of an EV and an ICE. A computer is built into the car’s dashboard to manage which power source to use for efficiency.

Here’s a comparison between EVs, traditional vehicles with ICE, and HEVs in terms of their automotive features:

Power Source	Electric Vehicle (EV)	Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)	Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
	Battery	Gasoline or diesel fuel	Battery and gasoline engine
Engine	Electric motor	Internal combustion engine	Electric motor and combustion engine
Emissions	Zero tailpipe emissions	Significant tailpipe emissions (carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, etc.)	Only produces emissions through using gasoline engine
Fueling	Charges through plug	Fills up with gasoline or diesel	Fills up with gasoline; battery charges via regenerative braking or through plug depending on the type of HEV
Efficiency	Highly efficient(up to 90% of energy converted to motion)	Inefficient(only 17-21% of energy converted to motion)	More efficient than ICE, less efficient than EV due to two power systems
Noise	Extremely quiet	Noisy due to the combustion process	Quieter than ICE, but can be noisy when the gasoline engine is on

Balancing the curve

But people don’t just consider going electric because of the trend. EVs have their own advantages:

Reduced Running Costs
Generally, electricity is cheaper than gasoline, which can help minimize financial costs. EVs can be charged at home and nearby charging stations, some of which offer it for free. Additionally, EVs contain only a few moving parts for driving, which leads to less maintenance.

Zero Tailpipe Emissions
It is not a surprise that EVs are hailed as eco-friendly vehicles by environmental advocates. EVs contribute to cleaner air and reduction of carbon footprint, particularly in urbanized areas like Metro Manila.

Energy security & promotion
The switch to electricity as the main source of power can contribute to reducing oil dependency, especially in the Philippines, where oil resources are becoming limited. The growth of EVs also promotes the development of local EV batteries and components.

Instant Torque and Smooth Performance
The electric motor provides instant torque, which leads to fast and smooth acceleration. The absence of a traditional transmission also delivers an enhanced, gear-free ride that’s good for the stop-and-go traffic in local cities.

Government Policy and Incentives
R.A. 11697, or the EVIDA Law, provides EV drivers with benefits such as number coding exemptions, priority registration, and dedicated parking slots with charging stations.

Off the bat, it seems that EVs come ahead in multiple areas, but despite all that, they do have some drawbacks

Cost
EVs have a higher sticker price compared to traditional ICE vehicles. Additional costs may include battery replacement and maintenance and high electrical bills when charged from home.

Limited Charging Stations
Despite the growing number of charging stations in highly urbanized areas, they’re still not as widespread as gasoline stations.

Range Anxiety
The fear of a phone running low on battery also applies to EVs, as the bank may run out before reaching a certain destination or charging station. Performance in extreme conditions (heat, heavy load, steep terrain) may also reduce the estimated range.

Longer “Refueling” Time
Compared to a gas tank, which usually fills up in minutes, a full charge for an EV can take hours, even when fast chargers are accessible.

Practical limitations
Limitations in model choices, availability of parts, and auto repair shops specifically designed for EVs may affect the experience of some drivers.

Popular EVs in 2025

Whether you’re switching to an EV or thinking of getting one as your first car, here’s a comprehensive list of available EVs worth taking a look at.

Make / Brand	Model	Engine / Displacement	Range	Most Popular Feature
BYD	Atto 3	Electric Motor (approx. 201 hp)	420 km (WLTP)	Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Capabaility: Can power external devices like laptops, camping equipment, or even another EV, making it a versatile power source.
Tesla	Model 3	Electric Motor (up to 510 hp)	660 km (WLTP)	Autopilot & Infotainment: The advanced driver-assistance program and minimalist interior are its signature selling points.
Kia	EV6	Electric Motor (up to 321 hp)	528 km (WLTP)	Ultra-Fast Charging: It can charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes using a high-powered DC fast charger.
MG	MG ZS EV	Electric Motor (approx. 174 hp)	440 km (WLTP)	Affordability & Practicality: One of the most accessible EVs on the market, it offers a good balance of range, features, and price for a compact SUV.
GAC	Aion Y Plus	Electric Motor (approx. 201 hp)	490 km (NEDC)	Spacious and Versatile Interior: The flat floor and long wheelbase offer enough space with seats that can recline fully.
Nissan	Leaf	Electric Motor (approx. 147 hp)	311 km (WLTP)	Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Technology: The Leaf pioneered this technology, allowing it to send electricity back to a home or the grid.

Are EVs for you?

Given the rate of development, its environmental impact, and the reduction of maintenance costs, getting an EV might seem like an easy choice.

Yet, with benefits come challenges, such as longer fueling times and operational limitations that can affect the driver’s overall experience.

So is an EV really the right choice for you? If you are a driver who is environmentally conscious and you live near charging stations, then you might want to consider one.

But if you take long drives that require a quick time to fuel or are the type to worry about being stuck in the middle of the road because of a dwindling battery, stick to vehicles with combustion engines.

If you’re looking for something that’s between both worlds, then you might want to consider an HEV for driving efficiency on battery and gasoline.

In any case, you might want to take a few of them for a spin before making the jump.

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