Commentary
Why Pinoys Are Still Divided Over EVs
It’s 2025, and electric vehicles (EVs) are everywhere, from billboards and mall displays to facebook, TikTok and Instagram. Yet, despite growing buzz, many Filipinos still are not sold. The streets may welcome Teslas and BYDs, but in Facebook comment sections and group chat convos, many Pinoys still prefer gas-powered vehicles.
So what’s fueling this EV vs gas-powered debate?
⚡ Price Shock vs Pump Pain
Yes, EVs promise lower running costs, but the upfront cost remains a major hurdle. A brand-new EV still costs more than a comparably sized gas car, even with government incentives.
“EVs are great if you can afford them,” said one Facebook user. “But most Pinoys are still looking for a secondhand Vios or an old Adventure.”
Meanwhile, gas prices keep rising, and that’s no small deal for daily drivers. “Fuel is getting crazy. But replacing my car for an EV I can’t charge at home? Not practical.”
🔌 Charging Dillema
This is the biggest chokepoint, literally. While EV infrastructure is improving in Metro Manila, charging stations are still rare outside urban areas.
“Where do you charge in the far-flung areas? At your grandma’s house?” joked a viral Facebook comment.
For condo dwellers or those in rented homes, installing a home charger is also a no-go. And public chargers? They’re either full, out of order, or inconveniently located in luxury malls.
🔋 Hybrid Middle Ground
Many Pinoys are leaning towards hybrids as a safer step. They’re easier to maintain, cheaper than full EVs, and don’t need charging stations.
Toyota’s continued hybrid push, with models like the Prius, Corolla Cross and Yaris Cross, has gained strong public acceptance. “Best of both worlds,” says a driver who switched from diesel to hybrid. “It’s way lower gas consumption and has no range anxiety.”
🛠️ Repair Worries & Resale Doubts
One overlooked fear is the maintenance and resale. While EVs have fewer moving parts, they still need specialized care, and right now, not every car shop or casa is equipped.
“What happens if my battery fails after five years? Where do I even buy a replacement?” said another Facebook commenter.
Secondhand EVs? Still a gray area. Battery health is tricky to measure, and a lot of buyers don’t want to gamble.
🇨🇳 The China Factor
There’s also chatter around the sudden surge of Chinese EV brands. While affordable and tech-loaded, many Pinoys remain skeptical.
“It’s like a giant cellphone,” one motoring group member posted. “Looks good now, but what happens five years from now?”
This nationalism-tinged hesitation isn’t new, but it’s flaring again as Chinese EVs continue to undercut traditional brands.
🚘 Bottom Line: EV-curious but Cautious
Most Filipinos want to believe in EVs, but infrastructure, affordability, and long-term trust are still major roadblocks.
So while EV adoption is growing, the gas vs electric debate is far from over. For now, hybrids, efficient gas cars, and good old practicality continue to rule our roads.
At the end of the day, choosing between an EV or a gas-powered car all depends on what works best for your lifestyle, location, and budget. Both have their strengths, and both come with real challenges. What matters most is being informed and knowing what you’re getting into. So what’s your take? Are you sticking with gas, switching to EV, or holding out for something else entirely? Let us know in the comments. We’re ready for the spark. 🔋⛽👇🏼
“Imagine a scooter faster than your car—160 km/h on EDSA. Would you ride it, or would you run from it?”
If this hits our roads, it’s either the coolest thing you’ll see this year… or the quickest way to trend on Facebook for all the wrong reasons.
UK-based Bo is building the Bo M Turbo, an electric scooter aiming to break the world speed record at over 160 km/h. That’s faster than most cars in Metro Manila traffic—if you can even reach full throttle before hitting a jeepney.
The Turbo packs a 24kW dual-motor system, a 1.8kWh battery, Formula 1-inspired cooling, and quad-piston disc brakes. It even has a power-to-weight ratio higher than a Bugatti Veyron.
Bo’s team includes former Formula 1 and Bloodhound Land Speed Record engineers. They’re taking the Turbo to Bonneville Speed Week in Utah to prove it’s the fastest scooter in the world.
Built for Speed, Priced for the Rich
- Top speed: 160+ km/h
- Range: Up to 241 km at cruising speed (28 km/h)
- Price: Around $29,500 (~₱1.7M)
Not exactly a GrabBike replacement—this is for someone with a Mercedes-AMG in the garage who wants a smaller toy.
The Cheaper Option
Bo also sells the Model M for about ₱94,000, with a 35 km/h top speed and 48 km range. Good for city commutes without scaring pedestrians.
Would you ride a 160 km/h scooter in Manila, or should it stay on the race track?
Lamborghini is in a legal showdown with one of its U.S. dealers, accusing it of selling high-end supercars to unauthorized middlemen — and in some cases, to individuals linked to “drug dealers and pimps.”
At the center of the dispute is Gold Coast Exotic Imports in Chicago, Illinois. The Italian carmaker claims the dealership breached its contract by selling at least 32 vehicles in 2023 to brokers instead of directly to retail buyers or other authorized dealers.
Court filings allege that some buyers had no intention of keeping the cars, flipping them instead for hefty profits. In one example, Lamborghini says a car went to someone previously convicted of fraud tied to laundering money through luxury car sales to criminal networks.
The brand also accuses Gold Coast of demanding off-the-books kickbacks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for access to limited-edition models. Since 2019, Lamborghini claims to have paid the dealership over $4 million in incentive bonuses.
Gold Coast denies the allegations, countering that Lamborghini has withheld funds for showroom upgrades, failed to cover marketing costs, and is trying to push out its president, 81-year-old Joseph Perillo Sr. The dealership has taken its grievances to the Illinois Motor Vehicle Review Board.
Despite the heated exchanges, both sides told U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer they are in talks for an out-of-court settlement. If that fails, a trial could take place in December 2026.
This dispute follows another high-profile scandal involving Ferrari’s German dealer Mertel Italo Cars, accused of fraud and swiftly cut off by the brand. For Italy’s supercar makers, the twin controversies highlight the ongoing challenge of keeping their exclusive cars out of speculative or criminal hands — and protecting their carefully crafted image.
Quezon City went full force on August 8, 2025, with a large-scale “One-Time Big-Time” operation along G. Araneta Avenue, from Kaliraya Street to Palanza Street. The city aimed to keep roads clear, ease traffic, and prevent flooding caused by clogged drainage and obstructions.
The drive started at 8:00 a.m. and targeted several problem areas:
- Clearing streets and canals filled with garbage
- Removing illegal street dwellers
- Taking out road and sidewalk obstructions
- Towing illegally parked vehicles
- Issuing tickets to ordinance violators
The coordinated effort brought together the Traffic and Transport Management Department (TTMD), Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), District Sanitation and Quality Control (DSQC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Social Services Development Department (SSDD), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO), with support from local barangays.
City officials who oversaw the operation included TTMD Head Dexter C. Cardenas, DPOS Clearing and Demolition Chief Remigio B. Gregorio, former District 1 councilor Ollie Belmonte, District IV Action Officer Atty. Zandy Zacate, and MDAD Head P/Col Alex D.J. Alberto (Ret.) PhD.
This was a follow-up to an earlier clearing operation held on August 6, 2025.
The city reminded residents to keep surroundings clean, avoid littering, and follow local laws. Officials stressed that discipline is a shared responsibility—not just the government’s job.
