Another Vertebrae Added to the “Philippine EV Spine” with the Opening of a New Charging Station South of Manila

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The rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the Philippines continues to accelerate, with new stations opening along major travel routes in Luzon.

The expansion, led by Ayala Group’s mobility unit ACMobility, forms part of what the company calls the Philippine EV Spine, a growing network intended to support long-distance electric travel and reduce range limitations for drivers.

The newest addition is an EV charging station in Lucena City, Quezon, located at PTT Lucena across from the Lucena City Government Complex. Its placement on the South Luzon corridor positions it as a key link between Metro Manila and the Bicol region, a route that historically challenged EV users because of the limited availability of fast chargers along the 450- to 500-kilometer drive.

Lucena’s role is largely geographic. It sits at a natural midpoint and functions as a predictable stop for vehicles traveling between southern Luzon and Bicol. Surrounding commercial establishments also give drivers access to food and rest facilities during the charging window.

The gradual buildout of stations across Luzon does more than support end-to-end Manila–Bicol travel. Cities between major hubs—such as San Pablo and nearby municipalities—stand to benefit from added charging options as the network densifies. ACMobility has said it plans to continue opening sites across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to create a more continuous charging corridor for private vehicles and, eventually, for public-transport fleets.

The Lucena station is equipped with a 120-kW DC fast charger with two ports and a 22-kW AC charger with one port. The company also plans to install two additional AC chargers at the Giant Lucena station on Evo Tourism Road to increase capacity in the area. Users can locate and operate the chargers through the Evro app, which enables real-time station visibility, session activation, and payment.

ACMobility has also positioned the Lucena site as part of broader preparations for electrified public transport and commercial fleets. The station’s power and layout are designed to accommodate e-jeepneys, delivery vehicles, and LGU-run mobility services as those sectors gradually adopt EVs.

Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala welcomed the installation, saying the site supports the city’s push for cleaner transport and improves travel reliability along the southern Luzon route. The city government is considering additional sites on LGU-owned property to increase access for residents and visitors.

According to ACMobility Head for Mobility Infrastructure Carla Buencamino, the long-term plan is to expand charging coverage to enable wider EV adoption and reduce barriers to interregional travel. The program forms part of the Ayala Group’s broader investments in mobility, including automotive retail and service operations.