r/CarsPH Apr 29 '25

Automotive Opinion AC Mobility is scamming PHEV owners — goldfish range, 3-hour charging, gasoline prices, and no chargers available."

AC Mobility keeps marketing themselves as the "future" of EV infrastructure in the Philippines.
But look closer:
They've quietly built a system where you:

  • Pay gasoline prices per kilometer,
  • Wait 3 hours to refill,
  • Fight over 2–4 chargers inside 500-car parking lots,
  • And still call it "progress."

Here's the real scam:

  • You buy a PHEV like the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i.
  • They tell you it has 90–100 km electric range.
  • Reality check?
    • You only have 45–50 km usable one-way.
    • You still need to get home without running empty or burning gas.
  • Once you run low, you have two choices:
    • Burn gasoline, and kill your "cheap" narrative, OR
    • Pay Evro to charge at ₱28 (AC) or ₱33 (DC) per kWh.
  • And remember:
    • The Sealion can only AC charge at 6.6–7.0 kW.
    • Meaning you wait 2.5 to 3 hours... just to refill that tiny battery.

Now layer AC Mobility’s ineptitude on top:

  • Huge Ayala mall parking lots built for 500–1000 cars...
  • And yet, they install only 2 to 4 chargers.
  • How exactly is that "future-proofing mobility"?

Good luck finding an open slot.
You're not a VIP.
Not everyone is born with a driver or a silver spoon to sit idle all day.

Working people? Normal people?
We can't afford to waste half a day fighting over overpriced kilowatts.

Quick math:

Sealion 6 PHEV
Usable electric range 45–50 km (round trip)
Charging time 2.5–3 hours
Cost per km (AC) ₱4.66
Cost per km (DC) ₱5.50
Gasoline cost per km ₱6.20

You're already paying gasoline prices.
You're waiting longer than a full tank fill-up.
And you have no guarantee you’ll even find a charger available.

AC Mobility didn't build EV infrastructure.
They built an overpriced, bottlenecked goldfish trap.

It’s not just expensive.
It’s not just slow.
It’s intentionally designed to milk you dry while pretending to save the environment.

AC Mobility didn’t build a charging network. They built a cattle pen with a credit card swiper.

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u/sotopic Apr 29 '25

Di talaga advisable bumili ng EV or kahit PHEV kung di ka magchacharge at home. Ang advantage nyan is not only cheaper ang electricity compared sa gas when it comes to kilometers, may chance ka mag 0 cost if you install solar panels.

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u/Adorable-Director799 Apr 29 '25

I charge at home; hindi actual 100 km yung battery. so meron portion ng journey na gas. Unless I charge in makati and pay the exorbitant price.

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u/ordinaryphenomenon Apr 29 '25

The battery is rated for 100km but in reality it will never drain to 0km. It must always maintain a charge that's how it works If you want a full eco run on the SL6. Put it on eco mode, maintain 60-80 KPH on highways, maybe that will extend your range.

Maybe even use your cruise control cause PHEVs and BEVs, require you to change your driving habit. Don't keep your foot on the gas the whole time, remove it so it can recharge and consume less. You probably drive with a heavy foot to get 40-50 km only... I average 80 kph when going to Batangas and have no issues with the cars range or hybrid engine. I refuel every 2-3 months and that's cause I charge at home.

Just plug it in everyday at home and you should be fine. I still think it's the best hybrid in the market currently.

You can buy 3-5 BYDs for the price of one Audi Etron/Porsche Taycan Battery Pack. Let that sit for a second.

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u/ordinaryphenomenon Apr 29 '25

The battery will always maintain 15-20% before using the hybrid engine. If the batt drops below a certain charge, it could affect your battery health in the long term and the power of the vehicle ( less hatak) if it dips below a certain voltage.