Solarius Energy establishes first charging station in Raffles Hotel Makati

MANILA: A network of public EV charging stations has begun operating across the nation, according to Solarius EV Charging, a sister firm of Solarius Energy.

Solarius specializes in offering cost-effective and easy charging options to EV drivers as well as financially sound business models for location partners. By the end of Q1 2023, the goal is to have 60 places powered up, followed by 180 locations at the end of 2023 and 500 locations by the end of 2025. EV users will scan the QR code at each station to initiate a charging session.

The Solarius app is available for download on the Apple App store and Google Play and they provide an enhanced charging experience. EV drivers are presented with the charging costs before initiating the charging session. Payment methods include credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay as well as prepaid plans funded by G-Cash, PayMaya, and Western Union.

“Solarius EV Charging’s mission is to eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers by building a world-class, nationwide network of ‘destination’ EV charging locations,” said Peter Wilson, CEO of Solarius.

The leadership added that the Fairmont Raffles Hotel in Makati is the first location partner of Solarius in Metro Manila.

“We’re delighted that Fairmont Raffles Hotel in Makati is our first location partner in Metro Manila. Accor group is leading the hospitality sector to provide convenient EV charging facilities for its guests and shares Solarius’ vision of accelerating the shift to electric mobility in the Philippines”, announced Wilson.

Solarius provides free charging stations to qualified location partners and is looking for many more hotels and resorts to add EV Charging facilities nationwide. EV drivers can enjoy comfortable stays at conveniently located resorts and hotels while charging their cars overnight.

Raffles Fairmont Hotel Makati’s breakthrough partnership with Solarius is inline with the hotel’s sustainability initiative called Planet 21. Launched in 2011, Planet 21’s key programs are “Plant for the Planet” that aims to plant 10 million trees by the end of 2021, and was initially devoted to reforestation projects and has now evolved into agroforestry projects.

Raffle’s Healthy & Sustainable Food Charter is one program that targets to control food wastage by nurturing an appetite for healthy, and sustainable food and a waste-free diet.

According to Aubrey Ada, Raffles Fairmont Hotel Makati’s Hotel Manager, the hotel’s ongoing Planet 21 sustainability and eco-consciousness initiatives also include operating its own bee farm and herb garden, removal of single use plastics such as packaging, straws, nonreusable key cards, water bottles in rooms, and partnering with Plastic Bank Philippines for the recycling and reusing of PET bottles and waste management system to save food and eliminate wastage, among others.

“We are happy to partner with Solarius EV Charging as we share the same vision of promoting clean energy and providing convenience to our EV driving guests. We look forward to launching and setting into motion more sustainability milestones aligned with our Planet 21 thrust”,the Raffles Fairmont Manager said.

Last October, Solarius EV Charging showcased its charging solutions at the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS).

This year’s PEVS highlighted the electric vehicle industry’s solidarity in achieving the policy goals of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), also known as Republic Act No. 11697, which went into effect on May 11, 2022. The Act’s implementing rules and regulations, which were published on September 5, 2022, went into effect on September 20, 2022.

The law mandates 5% electric vehicle share in corporate and government fleets, designated parking spaces for electric vehicles, installation of charging stations in parking lots and gas stations, creation of green routes in cities and municipalities, as well as fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for electric vehicle production, charging station importation, and electric vehicle usage. The goal of the law is to encourage the fast adoption of electric vehicles and charging stations in the country.

Solarius also offers EV charging solutions for condo and apartment property management companies to enable tenants to charge at home. The company also offers solar powered EV charging solutions for both private residences and businesses.

Hotels, resorts, condominium property managers, shopping malls, and public parking garages may contact Solarius EV Charging at info@solarius.com.ph or +639498822125 to apply and join the growing network of public EV charging locations.

Photos from Roy Robles

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