Filipinos are Keen on Electrified Vehicles but Concerns About Infrastructure Remain, According to a Ford Study

• 44 percent of Filipinos are considering an electrified vehicle purchase in the next 12 months
• 81 percent of respondents said they would choose an electrified vehicle to make a good first impression when meeting someone new
• 70 percent of respondents said it was practical to own an electrified vehicle in the Philippines

More than 40 percent of Filipinos are considering purchasing an electrified vehicle¹ in the next 12 months, according to a Ford Motor Company survey², with most preferring hybrid technology.

As part of its multi-market research, Ford spoke with Filipino drivers and those wanting to buy a new car to understand how they viewed electrified vehicles¹ so that it could be better prepared in its pursuit of an all-electric future.

This research highlights the need for continued efforts to educate the public about electrified vehicles¹, address concerns about cost, range, and infrastructure, and promote the benefits of electric mobility.

Here are some of the key takeaways the research revealed about Filipino drivers:

Nice and familiar: Drivers in the Philippines are familiar with electrified vehicles¹, with most respondents classifying them as being ‘fun to drive’, ‘cool’, ‘sporty’ and even ‘easy to own’. More than 49 percent of respondents said they’d ridden in an electric vehicle³ with 33 percent claiming to have driven one. More than 70 percent of respondents agreed that owning an electric vehicle³ in the Philippines is practical.

Pros & Cons: Saving money by not buying fuel was rated as a top benefit of owning an electric vehicle³, but many believe maintenance for electric vehicles³ are higher in the long run. 

Electrified vehicles¹ in everyday life: Most respondents agreed they would be ‘more likely’ to choose an electric vehicle³ to provide delivery services or ride sharing, and that they would prefer an electric vehicle³ for their daily commute. The majority of Filipino respondents noted they wanted electrified vehicles to deliver a longer driving range and reduced maintenance costs.

Love connection: If you’re looking for love then you can forget roses, because more than half of the respondents said they would be ‘more likely’ to date someone who drove an electric vehicle³. Eighty one percent said they would choose an electric vehicle³ to make a good first impression on someone.

Infrastructure challenge: The biggest hurdle to electric vehicle³ ownership in the Philippines, according to 39 percent of respondents, is inadequate charging infrastructure. Nearly half of all the Filipino respondents are unaware of any charging stations within 20 kilometres of their home agreeing there should be as many charging stations as service stations. Indeed, a service station ranked highest with Filipinos as the key location for charging sites, followed by a supermarket or shopping center and then a park or recreation facility.

Preferred electrified vehicle¹ type: Most respondents said, ‘if cost was not an issue’ that they would choose a hybrid vehicle, the second and third choices were a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and battery electric vehicle, respectively.

Demanding capability: Almost 85 percent of respondents said they would be ‘more likely’ to purchase an electric vehicle³ with ‘greater’ towing capacity, while 85 percent are looking for their first electric vehicle³ to be off-road capable.

Myth-conceptions: But there are still ‘myth-conceptions’ giving some potential buyers pause for thought. For instance, just under half of respondents believe charging an electric vehicle³ at home is as expensive as filling up a gasoline vehicle.

Ford wants to develop its electrified vehicle¹ future by leveraging iconic models like the Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit and Ranger PHEV. In addition to offering electrified versions of its most popular vehicles, the company is harnessing electrification to deliver more of what customers love about them: performance, capability and productivity.

Notes
1 Electrified vehicle (EV) refers to hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles.

2 The survey was conducted by global research and analytics consultancy, Escalent in April/May 2024 covering 1470 people across Australia, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates.

3 Electric vehicle refers to a vehicle with a rechargeable battery and no internal combustion engine to support it.