EV
Plug And Earn
VF 5 Opens EV Earnings Route
VinFast is positioning the VF 5 as both a daily electric vehicle and a possible income tool through its Rentapasada program, which gives transport service drivers a lower-cost way to enter ride-hailing operations.
The VF 5 is a five-seat, all-electric A-segment SUV aimed at buyers watching not only the purchase price, but also long-term running costs. Fuel, maintenance and daily operating expenses can influence ownership costs over several years, especially for motorists who drive often.
Metro Manila owner Carlo Santos said he compared the VF 5 with gasoline-powered crossovers before buying the EV. He said the difference became clearer after he calculated fuel and maintenance expenses.
Based on VinFast’s example, a gasoline crossover consuming around 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers would use about 68 liters of fuel for 1,000 kilometers of monthly driving. At a Metro Manila gasoline price of P87.25 per liter as of 9 June 2026, that would cost close to P6,000 a month. VinFast said the VF 5’s energy costs may be more than 50 percent lower for the same distance.
The savings could be bigger for transport service drivers. A driver covering around 200 kilometers a day with the same gasoline consumption rate would use roughly 408 liters of fuel each month, equal to about P35,600 in fuel costs alone at the cited pump price.
VinFast is tying that advantage to Rentapasada, a rental program designed to help Filipinos join the ride-hailing and transport service sector through Green GSM’s platform. The VF 5 is one of two models available under the program, alongside the seven-seater Limo Green.
Rental rates start at P1,000 per day, allowing drivers to operate without the large upfront cost usually required for vehicle ownership. Drivers who meet qualifying ride targets may also receive free charging at V-Green charging stations, which can further reduce daily operating costs.
The program offers a fixed five-year contract, with an option to extend for another three years. VinFast said this gives drivers a more predictable setup for building a long-term source of income.
The VF 5 is powered by a 100 kW electric motor and offers up to 326 kilometers of range. It also comes with six airbags, seven advanced driver assistance features, 16 smart functions, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle is covered by a seven-year warranty, while the battery has a 10-year warranty.
With Rentapasada, VinFast is pitching the VF 5 beyond private use. The EV can serve as a family car, commuter vehicle or income-generating unit for drivers looking to lower fuel expenses while entering the transport service market.
BYD deploys first Sealion 5 DM-i taxi fleet
BYD Cars Philippines has rolled out the country’s first Sealion 5 DM-i taxi fleet through the deployment of 20 units to Highland Transport Service Cooperative in Northern Luzon.
The fleet was launched in La Trinidad, Benguet with dealer partner SEAelectric, supporting HTSC’s re-fleeting program for transport services in the Cordillera region.
The Sealion 5 DM-i units will be used for taxi operations across La Trinidad and nearby Cordillera areas, where operators face varied terrain and daily passenger demand. The plug-in hybrid SUV uses BYD’s Super DM-i technology, which is designed to deliver electric-first driving, extended range and lower fuel consumption.
BYD Cars Philippines said the deployment aims to reduce operating costs for drivers while giving passengers a quieter and more comfortable ride. The company also positions the fleet as part of its broader push for cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions suited to local transport operators.
Bob Palanca, managing director of BYD Cars Philippines, said the Sealion 5 DM-i fleet shows how the model can serve operators beyond city use, especially in areas such as Benguet where road and terrain conditions differ from urban routes.
The handover gathered representatives from BYD Cars Philippines, SEAelectric and HTSC. Present during the event were Joel Sevilla, general manager of BYD La Union; Palanca; Pastor Joel Tabingan, vice chairman of HTSC; Marwin Cabading, chairman of HTSC; Glenn Yu, chief executive officer of SEAelectric Philippines and dealer of BYD Baguio; and Francis Yu, chairman of SEAOIL and dealer principal of SEAelectric Philippines.
BYD Cars Philippines is the local distributor of BYD passenger vehicles under ACMobility, the mobility arm of Ayala Corporation. The brand currently operates through 81 authorized dealerships in key locations nationwide, including Quezon Avenue, Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Greenfield Mandaluyong, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, Fairview, Commonwealth, Alabang, Cagayan de Oro and Bacolod.
ACMobility also distributes Kia, operates select dealerships for BYD, Kia and Isuzu, and has entered the luxury electric vehicle segment through DENZA. The company has also expanded its electric vehicle charging network to more than 200 locations nationwide.
GAC opens reservations for compact AION UT EV
GAC International Philippines has started accepting reservations for the AION UT, a compact electric hatchback aimed at buyers looking for cabin space in a smaller city-friendly vehicle.
The AION UT is offered with a starting promotional price of P998,000 for the Elite variant, inclusive of a P50,000 introductory discount valid until June 30. A separate P20,000 discount is also available for the first 400 units sold.
GAC is positioning the AION UT around smart packaging. The hatchback has a 2,750-millimeter wheelbase, giving the cabin more passenger room than its compact footprint suggests. The company said the layout was designed to improve space for occupants while keeping the vehicle easy to drive in urban areas.
Masato Katsumata, chief technological officer of GAC International, helped guide the project. Katsumata previously worked at Toyota and was involved in the development of several models, including the current Camry. For the AION UT, his role focused on technical guidance during product planning and development.
The cabin was designed with practical storage spaces for daily items, while the overall look follows a softer, lifestyle-focused direction rather than a purely tech-heavy approach.
For safety, the AION UT uses GAC’s Magazine Battery technology, which the company says is designed to resist fire, water intrusion and high temperatures. The vehicle also gets a high-strength steel body structure, multiple airbags and several driver assistance systems.
The feature list includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, a 360-degree camera system and a drive-off assist function that helps reduce unintended acceleration when reversing or moving from a stop.
GAC said the AION UT can travel about 400 to 500 kilometers on a full charge, depending on variant and driving conditions. Its battery can be charged from 30 percent to 80 percent in about 24 minutes using fast charging.
Available exterior colors include Champs-Elysees Beige, Emerald Green, Rococo White and Seine Silver. A two-tone Rococo White and Emerald Green combination is also offered.
GAC Philippines said the AION UT is covered by an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer EV warranty, while the core three-electric system has an eight-year or 200,000-kilometer warranty. New owners also receive two years of free roadside assistance.
The AION UT is now available for reservation through GAC dealerships nationwide.
Ford Territory Hybrid tops small utility hybrid sales
Ford Philippines said the Territory Hybrid has become the best-selling small utility hybrid vehicle in the country, based on Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. data covering January to May 2026.
The Territory Hybrid posted 2,226 units sold during the first five months of the year, more than 500 units ahead of the next best-selling model in the small utility hybrid vehicle category, according to official CAMPI figures.
The strong start extends the momentum of the model after its local launch in August 2025. Ford said the Territory Hybrid passed the 1,000-unit sales mark in just over three months and ended its launch year with 1,645 units sold.
Pedro Simoes, managing director of Ford Philippines, said the result validates the company’s electrification strategy and reflects the response of Filipino buyers to the Territory nameplate.
“The remarkable sales performance of the Ford Territory Hybrid is a clear testament to how deeply this nameplate resonates with Filipino customers who are ready to embrace electrified mobility,” Simoes said.
The Territory Hybrid uses a full hybrid system that pairs a gasoline engine with an electric motor. Ford said the setup delivers a fuel economy rating of 19.6 kilometers per liter and a driving range of up to 1,000 kilometers per tank.
In the Department of Energy’s 2025 Fuel Eco-Run, the Territory Hybrid posted a fuel economy rating of 23.71 kilometers per liter.
The SUV is powered by a 1.5-liter I-4 dedicated hybrid engine matched with a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and a 1.83-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion NCM high-voltage battery. The system produces up to 150 PS and 230 Nm from the engine, along with up to 218 PS and 315 Nm from the electric motor.
The hybrid system can operate through EV, series, parallel and energy recovery modes. Ford said the setup helps improve efficiency and torque delivery, especially in stop-and-go city driving.
Drivers can choose from Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes. The Territory Hybrid also offers selectable power steering settings through Comfort, Normal and Sport modes.
Simoes said the model gives customers a balance of fuel efficiency, technology and performance without requiring a major change in driving habits.
Ford also highlighted its ownership support services, including Mobile Service Vehicle, Express Service, Online Service Booking, Pick-up and Delivery, and Service Price Calculator.
The Ford Territory Hybrid Trend starts at P1,399,000. For June, the Trend variant comes with P40,000 cash savings or a P79,000 all-in down payment, while the Territory Hybrid Titanium X is offered with P50,000 cash savings or an P89,000 all-in down payment.
