EV
Kobe Paras Embraces Hybrid Life
Kobe Paras once had doubts about electrified vehicles. His first BAIC hybrid changed his mind.
The basketball player said he had little experience with hybrid and electric vehicles before joining BAIC Philippines as a brand ambassador. The partnership also gave him the chance to work with his father, Benjie Paras, and brother, Andre Paras.
“The fact that our BAIC family wanted to get not just me, but my brother and dad, to be a part of it. Being able to work with them is always a dream of mine,” Kobe said.
His initial uncertainty about electrified cars came from not knowing enough about the technology.
“I used to be very hesitant about hybrid and electric vehicles because I wasn’t educated enough on it,” he said. “But now that I am a proud hybrid owner, I can wholeheartedly say that it was the best decision for me and my family.”
Fuel savings were among the first advantages he noticed. However, the driving experience also challenged his assumptions about hybrids.
“I was really impressed. It was my first time driving a hybrid vehicle, and it honestly made me realize that I was missing out this whole time,” Kobe said.
Sport mode became one of his favorite features. He said electrified vehicles are sometimes dismissed by drivers who associate them with limited performance or plain interiors.
“The sport mode in my BAIC car makes me feel like I’m driving a sports car, not because it’s fast, but because the interior is also so stylish,” he said.
The vehicle also fits his routine in Metro Manila, where long periods in traffic can turn a simple errand into an extended drive. Kobe said the cabin makes those trips more comfortable, while the hybrid system helps reduce fuel use.
“It definitely exceeded my expectations,” he said. “My brother, Andre, has this quote: ‘Your expectations, your disappointment.’ And I have not been disappointed once with my BAIC.”
Kobe and Andre also visited an auto show in China, where they saw upcoming electrified BAIC models. Kobe said the trip gave him a closer look at the technology and designs that could eventually reach the Philippines.
“I was blown away with the futuristic and advanced models that BAIC has to offer in the near future,” he said.
BAIC Philippines currently offers electrified models such as the B30e Dune Hybrid Off-Roader, B40e TrailMaster rEV and B60e Beaumont rEV. Its local range also includes the B40 Pro TrailMaster, B40 Ragnar, B60 Beaumont, B80 Wagon and X55 Verve.
For Kobe, the partnership is tied closely to family and his outlook on life.
“To drive big means to think big, and that means to stay curious at all times,” he said. “To drive big means to live big, and for me that means to live life to the fullest.”
Ridenetwork.ph maps 1,102 operational charging points with no paywall or sign-in
MANILA, Philippines | Running low on battery should not be the moment an EV driver starts looking for a charger.
Ridenetwork.ph has launched its free [EV Charging and Battery Swapping Station Directory](https://ridenetwork.ph/ev-directory/), an interactive tool that helps motorists find charging points before leaving home or while on the road.
As of 20 August 2026, the directory covers 536 locations across Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. These locations have 1,102 charging points listed as operational, including 810 AC and 292 DC fast-charging points.
The directory also includes 49 battery-swapping units across 19 locations. Some sites provide more than one charging service.
Users can search the map, zoom into an area and check individual locations. Listings include addresses, operators, available charging services and directions.
The directory is open to everyone, with no subscription, paywall or sign-in required.
As more electric cars and motorcycles enter the country, drivers need to know where they can recharge before starting a trip. A missed charging stop can mean a longer detour, an unwanted delay or a journey cut short.
Visit [ridenetwork.ph/ev-directory](https://ridenetwork.ph/ev-directory/) and bookmark it today. You may not need the nearest charger now, but you will want the map ready when you do.
GAC Motor Philippines has launched the GS4 Max HEV, a five-seat hybrid SUV priced at ₱1.298 million.
Customers who reserve the vehicle until 30 September 2026 can get it for an introductory price of ₱1.218 million, which represents savings of ₱80,000.
The GS4 Max HEV uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine, a dual-motor system and a two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. Its 2.1-kWh nickel cobalt manganese battery supports electric, hybrid, direct engine drive and energy recuperation modes.
The system produces a combined 232 horsepower, while the electric motor delivers up to 300 Nm of torque. GAC claims the SUV can cover as much as 1,250 kilometers on a full tank, although actual range will depend on traffic, driving style and road conditions.
A 2,750-mm wheelbase and a body width of 1,901 mm provide room for passengers in both rows. The rear seats can also fold flat to create a level cargo floor for luggage, strollers and other large items.
Cabin equipment includes a panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, rear air-conditioning vents and a 50-watt wireless phone charger with a cooling fan. Drivers get a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a seven-inch digital instrument display.
The GS4 Max HEV also comes with a surround-view camera and a Level 2 driver-assistance package. Its features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, traffic jam assist, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and integrated cruise assist.
Passenger protection includes front, front-side and second-row side airbags, as well as side curtain airbags. The body uses high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel in key areas.
Exterior details include a large matrix grille, LED headlights, full-width LED taillights and electrically operated hidden door handles. Buyers can choose from Planet Silver, Hoary Grey and Crystal White, all paired with a black interior and ceiling.
GAC Philippines covers the GS4 Max HEV with a five-year or 150,000-km basic vehicle warranty. Its battery, drive motor and motor control unit receive separate coverage for eight years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first.
Reservations are available through GAC’s network of 30 dealerships nationwide.
VinFast has launched an online Total Cost of Ownership Calculator that lets Filipino motorists compare the long-term cost of an electric vehicle with a gasoline-powered model.
Available through the VinFast website, the calculator considers more than the vehicle’s purchase price. It includes financing payments, fuel or electricity expenses, routine maintenance and the expected ownership period.
Users first select a VinFast model before entering their average monthly mileage, preferred battery ownership option and intended ownership duration. The tool then produces estimates for monthly payments, energy expenses and total ownership cost.
It also compares the figures with those of a similar internal combustion engine vehicle.
VinFast said the calculator was developed to give buyers a clearer picture of the possible savings from switching to an EV. This could help motorists determine if lower energy and maintenance costs can offset the initial price of the vehicle.
In one sample calculation provided by the company, a VinFast VF 7 Plus with a battery subscription was driven for an estimated 2,000 kilometers per month over five years.
The calculator placed its total cost of ownership at P1,884,890. A comparable gasoline-powered vehicle under the same conditions was estimated to cost P3,156,240.
This produced a difference of P1,271,350, or about 40 percent, over the five-year period.
The result remains an estimate and will depend on the information entered by the user. Actual electricity rates, fuel prices, financing terms, maintenance expenses and driving habits may change the final cost.
However, the calculator gives prospective buyers a way to test different scenarios before deciding on a vehicle. A motorist can adjust the monthly distance or ownership period to see how each change affects the projected expenses.
The tool arrives as fuel and transport costs remain major concerns among Filipino households. VinFast cited a study by Agile Data Solutions Inc. which found that one in six Filipinos was considering an electric or hybrid vehicle.
The company also used local estimates of about P12 per kilowatt-hour for electricity and around P65 per liter for gasoline. Drivers with higher monthly mileage may see a larger difference because electricity generally costs less per kilometer than gasoline.
VinFast said its calculator turns general claims about lower EV operating costs into figures based on a buyer’s own expected use.
The company was the Philippines’ top-selling battery electric vehicle brand from March to June 2026, based on data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association.
Its local vehicle range includes electric crossovers offered with different battery ownership arrangements. The calculator is now available online for motorists who want to compare the projected cost of owning one with that of a conventional vehicle.
