The times are changing. Gone are the days when electric vehicles are only for the wealthy. We now have EV options outside of the luxury segments. Heck, we actually have affordable electric cars now.
So affordable that they’re ideal starter cars even for first-time car buyers, much like how viable small hatchbacks and subcompact sedans are for new owners. And since we’ve given you a list of offbeat recommendations for new customers, we’re making a similar one, but this time featuring just the EVs.
Read on to see our five recommendations for first-time EV buyers out there. Which would you add to this list?
1) BYD Seagull
BYD Cars Philippines is taking the market by storm, to say the least, and it’s continuously expanding its lineup to cater to more and more customers. Of course, it has mass-market models on offer, and one of the most interesting proposition (and cutest-looking car) it has is the Seagull.
This small EV is priced at just P898,000. It has one electric motor pushing 74hp and 135Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 130kph and a maximum range of about 300km that comes courtesy of its 30kWh BYD Blade Battery unit. You can click here to learn more about the BYD Seagull.
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2) Jetour Ice Cream
The Ice Cream was one of Jetour Auto Philippines’ first offerings when the carmaker arrived in our market, and boy, did it make headlines. Not because of the endorsements that came out after the launch, but simply because of how cute the car looks.
And of course, its price tag. At P699,000, it was and still is one of the most affordable fully electric vehicles available in the Philippines. It’s priced lower than most gasoline-powered starter cars, and with a 170km range on a single charge, it’s a perfect fit for short-distance drives around the city.
For a more in-depth look, you can check out our video by clicking these blue words.
3) Dongfeng Nanobox
Dongfeng might not be the top-of-mind choice, but it has an EV that’s flown slightly under the radar over the past few years but is still worth considering, especially for first-time car buyers.
What I’m talking about is the Nanobox, which as its name suggests, is a tiny EV. At just P888,000, it’s a very affordable option, and it’s got an impressive (albeit just claimed) 351km range on just one full charge. Not too shabby for a small car nonetheless.
4) VinFast VF3
One of the most affordable electric vehicles in the market right now comes from Vietnamese carmaker VinFast. It’s been making a lot of noise over the past year or so, and it shook the small-EV segment with the launch of the VF3.
The VF3 stickers for P745,000 with the EV battery included and can be had with a subscription for the battery charge. Subscription packages range from P2,800 to P6,300 per month depending on the monthly travel distance.
5) DFSK Candy Mini EV
Sometime last year, another Chinese carmaker in DFSK made its entry to the Philippine market. One of its initial offerings was a direct competitor to the Ice Cream: the Candy Mini EV.
The cute and quirky electric car has a 16.8kWh battery that promises 220km of range on a single charge. It also recharges from zero to 100% in just four and a half hours. All this for a very competitive price tag of P658,000.
6) JAC Ytterby
This last one’s a bit further upmarket, and it’s not as small as the other EVs in this list, but it deserves a mention. The Ytterby is JAC’s first foray in the electric segment, and while it’s pricier than the likes of the Seagull and Ice Cream, it’s got a lot to offer.
At P1.32 million, it has more quirkiness, more interior space, and more than 500km of range on a single charge. It’s upmarket compared to the other EVs in this list, but we also have to note that some first-time buyers might actually be looking for upmarket options themselves.
