Tesla has entered the Philippine market with the Model 3 and Model Y available for purchase through local distributor EV Solutions.
Potential buyers should be prepared to invest a significant amount, as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are priced at Php4 million and Php4.6 million, respectively.
For comparison, as of October 2023, the Model 3 starts at $38,990 (approx. Php2.23 million) in the US, while the Model Y is priced at $48,490 (~Php2.77 million). EV Solutions has established a showroom and service center at EDSA in Mandaluyong, where customers can inquire in person about the Tesla models and related services.
Despite the hefty price tag, buying a Tesla car comes with long-term financial benefits. According to EV Solutions CEO Ralph Calinisan, fully charging a Tesla costs merely Php600. This stands in contrast to the Php4,000 to Php5,000 required to fill a gasoline tank in traditional vehicles. Moreover, he stated that Tesla vehicles boast an impressive range of roughly 500 km per charge. Calinisan further emphasized the minimal maintenance costs associated with electric vehicles.
- Electric vehicles (EVs) exempted from number coding in PH
- PH to provide incentives for local electric vehicle manufacturers
Also worth considering is the fact that diving into the world of EVs in the Philippines isn’t without challenges. Calinisan acknowledges the current lack of adequate charging stations, which a recent survey revealed deters potential EV buyers. But, he remains hopeful about the future of EVs in the Philippines, pointing to their environmental benefits and the volatility of fuel prices.
Support for electric mobility is also echoed recently by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who envisions half of all vehicles in the Philippines being electric by 2040. The Department of Trade and Industry also initiated a program to boost the local EV sector. Back in March 2023, Californian company Envirotech Vehicles announced its plans to invest a $80 million in Clark, Pampanga for EV production.