Overnight, the price of fuel has skyrocketed as the US and Israel started attacking Iran for what others call the third Gulf War. Iran has recently stated that they are now allowing PH bound ships through the disputed Strait of Hormuz. However, this only secures our supply and has no bearing on the price of fuel in the country.
Filipinos quickly turned a blind eye on their trepidations. Electrified cars and e-bikes were sold left and right with some dealers even running out of stock for some of their models. The discussion online has also shifted from range anxiety and charging network to options per price point and if they come with chargers.
We were once again forced into a transition.
Remember the COVID pandemic? It made online shopping even more popular, usage of online payment channels hit an all time high, and made work from home a viable option for companies. Save for the Work from Home since many companies have opted to Return to Office, most of these pandemic transitions have stayed after the fact. Now the same thing is happening but with cars.
The effects of the nth Iran War won’t dissipate immediately even if the attacks stop today. The US, Israel, and Iran have attacked oil depots in the region which is the main reason that oil prices shot up. It would take years before they can be rebuilt. Add to that the value of peso against the dollar and we are really on the backfoot.
A car with only an internal combustion engine suddenly doesn’t make sense now. Why would you opt for that when a hybrid can get you at least twice the distance for the similar amount of fuel? Then again, lucky are those with a budget to spare. For those who only have one car and can’t afford to get another, we can only tighten our belts and weep silently every time we gas up for a refill.
This time also calls for scrutiny and vigilance. Be sure that what you’re buying fits your lifestyle and home setting. For example, don’t buy an EV just because you’re near an SM Mall that offers free charging.
Electrified cars that come with a home wall charger should be installed by verified technicians. This way, you’re sure that their wiring and ground connection are solid and won’t introduce errors into your home network or the car’s system.
These cars also come with portable chargers that in theory, can be plugged into normal home outlets. What’s often unsaid is the heat these chargers will still introduce despite their lower rating. It’s better to have a dedicated outlet with modern wiring for these chargers or better, give them a separate breaker.
We are somewhat lucky that this forced transition happened at a time when there are already a lot of electrified car options in the country. Despite that, I still hope for my hybrid options under PHP 1M since this economy isn’t kind to many.
