NAGA CITY — SM City Naga launched the first EV (Electric Vehicle) charging station in Bicol Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the ground level of the mall’s carpark area.
The event was attended by City Councilor Atty. Ghiel “Oying” Rosales, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, Mall Manager Jeannette De Vera, and members of the media and the public.
SM Malls were the first to introduce free EV (Electric Vehicle) charging spots across its malls starting off with its malls across Metro Manila, expanding nationwide to the provinces.
SM City Mall Management through Mall Manager Jeannette De Vera, and with Public Relations officer Tina Sumayao further stated that around at least 15 SM Malls across the country were given EV charging spots, to which SM City Naga was among the list, and the only mall in the Bicol Region to have an EV charging station to date.
City Councilor Atty. Ghiel “Oying” Rosales, and Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion welcomed the development and would jump start the city in becoming a “Smart City” and a “Green City”.
Only one (1) charging spot was allotted near the entrance of the mall’s carpark but mall management was mum on details on further expanding the slots but was overall positive with the adoption of greener technologies and reducing overall carbon footprint.
The charger is a Type 2 standard with a maximum charging output designed up to 43kW configured to output around 7.4kW according to mall officials.
In a further interview with City Councilor Atty. Ghiel “Oying” Rosales, there are currently no plans for the city to provide incentives for EV owners.
EV & Hybrid vehicle owners in Metro Manila are currently exempted from the number coding scheme and with additional perks from a number of establishment and malls.
EVs (Electric Vehicle) and PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) such as the Nissan Leaf, and upcoming EVs from other brands can avail of the EV charging stations for free across designated SM Malls across the country.
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