PILI, Camarines Sur–For Arnel Castro, a car enthusiast from Legazpi City, the joy of driving has long been defined by the machine. His perspective of passion has changed, however: It is no longer just about horsepower but also about efficiency, sustainability, and smart economics.
Faced with rising pump prices, Castro and his wife are considering a transition to the electric vehicle (EV) having realized that maintaining a traditional car engine is becoming an unsustainable financial burden.
“The math just doesn’t work in favor of gas anymore,” said Castro, 34. “As someone who loves cars, I appreciate engineering. But the smartest engineering on the road today is the one that protects your wallet and the environment at the same time.”
Castro views their upcoming EV purchase not just as a lifestyle upgrade but also as a tangible way to lower their household carbon footprint. He sees it as the natural evolution of car culture, considering the inflation of gas prices.
According to FuelWatch PH, average fuel prices in Camarines Sur currently range from ₱73.90 to ₱75.90 per liter of unleaded gas, and ₱67.16 to ₱69.16 per liter of diesel.
Sustainable mobility
To ease the financial burden on car owners in Bicol and promote sustainable mobility in the heart of the region, VinFast Philippines has brought its “drive green” objective to Camarines Sur. Eco-friendly motors and vehicles have become the preferred option for many to lessen carbon emissions and avoid hazards to human health.
Last Oct. 9, VinFast Philippines inaugurated its showroom in Zone 1, San Juan, Palestina, in Pili, to display its lineup including models like the trendy VF 3 mini-EV and the family-friendly VF 5 SUV.
The event was attended by Naga City Mayor and former vice president Leni Robredo and other mayors from Pili, Legazpi, and Albay.
Lloyd Jeric Tan, vice president for operations at Great Motors Marketing, said owning an electric vehicle is an economically practical choice that does not require excessive expenditure. “Going electric doesn’t have to cost a fortune,” he said in a statement. “With rising gas prices, an EV is the smartest choice for driving.”
Indeed, switching to an electric vehicle is a healthier, more efficient way to reduce the carbon emissions produced by traditional cars.
Traditional internal combustion engines release harmful tailpipe emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Transitioning to pure electric vehicles eliminates harmful exhaust pollution entirely. These EVs help improve local air quality, slow down global warming, and reduce one’s carbon footprint.
Vietnamese company
Founded in 2017 by billionaire businessman Phạm Nhật Vượng, VinFast started as the automotive branch of Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate. It established a world-class, 90%-automated manufacturing complex in Hai Phong in just 21 months.
Although it began by manufacturing high-end petrol cars and electric scooters, the company made a major pivot in 2022 to cease all gas-powered production to transition exclusively into a 100% global electric vehicle brand. It now aims to establish 60 local dealerships by the end of 2026 to pioneer the nation’s green transition.
VinFast vehicles separate the car’s purchase price from the battery cost by using a battery subscription model. With EVs ranging from ₱590,000 (for the VF 3) to ₱3,845,000 (VF 9 Plus), they are among the most affordable electric cars on the market.
In terms of performance, the mid-size VF 8 and the flagship VF 9 feature an electronically limited top speed of 200 kilometers per hour (or 124 miles per hour). The dual-motor VF 8 Plus accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, while the larger VF 9 Plus achieves the same speed in 6.5 seconds.
Smaller models like the VF 3 are optimized for city driving and have lower top speeds.
Charging stations
Moreover, VinFast vehicles utilize their expanding V-Green charging network alongside existing public partner charging stations across active regions in the Philippines. Currently, there are over 123 active locations in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.
Drivers may also charge their vehicles at home using standard outlets or wall-mounted home chargers.
VinFast is offering free, unlimited public charging at all official V-Green stations until March 31, 2029. It will announce the official charging fees for the country once the promo period ends.
According to VinFast’s total cost of ownership data, an entry-level model like the VF 3 driven roughly 2,000 km per month over four years will incur an estimated total operating cost of ₱709,605. In comparison, an equivalent gas-powered car costs approximately ₱1,054,416 over the exact same period.
This yields net savings of roughly 33% to 40% (amounting to over ₱340,000 saved in fuel and mechanical upkeep).
Practically, EV owners save thousands of pesos long-term by completely eliminating routine expenses such as engine oil flushes, spark plugs, and transmission belt servicing.
By bridging the gap between cutting-edge EV technology and everyday Filipino drivers, this new hub in Pili does more than just sell cars. It also fosters a greener lifestyle and a modern driving experience, proving that eco-friendly mobility is no longer a distant dream but a reality waiting right outside our doors. CS
Antonette Alzaga is a writer for CoverStory.ph, who focuses on community narratives and local civic life. She occasionally writes about cultural heritage. She is a graduate of journalism from Bicol University.
