AutoIndustriya - Philippine Automotive News

In partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), and ACMobility, BYD Cars Philippines has started a movement - one that gives Filipinos a more seamless and sustainable way to traverse our islands. "Drive Electric. Love Pinas.", a campaign built on promoting sustainable, electrified land travel by leveraging off BYD New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and a rapidly-expanding charging network by ACMobility, promises more economical road trips for our countrymen. And with fuel pump price hikes seemingly becoming a weekly occurrence, this initiative has definitely come at the best time.

For 22 days, an electrified convoy led by adventurer Wil Dasovich traversed the Philippines from north to south, island-hopping across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. What started in the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte and ended in General Santos City wasn't just a road trip; it was a record-breaking demonstration of reliability. By the time the dust settled, the journey had officially earned two Guinness World Records titles:

Most cities visited in a continuous journey by a battery electric vehicle (BEV).
Most cities visited in a continuous journey by a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

From Sand Dunes to Summit

The campaign kicked off in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, where the convoy, headlined by the BYD Shark 6 DMO, made its first impression against the dramatic backdrop of the La Paz Sand Dunes. From there, the fleet pushed south through Pagudpud and up to Baguio, where the Shark 6 tackled steep mountain roads with ease, showcasing the power of the Blade Battery and DMO technology.

Passing through Pampanga, the Culinary Capital, the convoy linked up with food content creator Kuya Kurt to explore Tutulari Avatar Gorge and dine at the heritage restaurant Bale Datung. The BYD Shark 6 DMO's Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology even powered the team's gear off-grid during the trek, showing that EV tech goes well beyond simply getting from point A to point B.

Back in the metro, the fleet charged up at Makati's Corinthian Car Park using the country's fastest 480kW DC charger before a dinner at Michelin-starred Hapag Manila. Continuing south through Quezon and Bicol, the convoy highlighted Ugu Bigyan's Pottery Garden in Tiaong before finally crossing into the Visayas.

Into the Islands

The journey into the Visayas marked a historic first. Crossing into Cebu, the team explored heritage spots and met with local media at BYD Cebu Central, where they powered an entire DJ booth using the Shark 6’s V2L technology. In Moalboal, Wil Dasovich went freediving alongside the famous sardine run, a quiet moment that captured the essence of the "Love Pinas" campaign.

Mindanao Bound

Crossing into Mindanao, the convoy landed in Pagadian City, linking the northernmost charging points to the heart of the south. In Cagayan de Oro, the team went whitewater rafting on the Kagay River and sampled pineapple ice cream at Camp Phillips, followed by paragliding at Mt. Anahawon Ridge in Bukidnon.

In Davao, the campaign took on a deeper dimension. The team visited the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer to distribute care packages, reminding everyone that this journey was about community as much as the drive. The Kadayawan Tribal Village was another highlight, where Bogart the Explorer joined Wil to celebrate the heritage of Davao's 11 tribes.

Putting Range Anxiety to Rest

The backbone of this over 3,500-kilometer journey was the ACMobility Philippine EV Spine Network. With more than 160 ACMobility charging points strategically placed across the country. From Robinsons Pagadian to provincial PTT stations, the infrastructure proved that nationwide EV travel is a practical reality.

Behind every kilometer of the journey was the assurance that only the world's No. 1 NEV brand could provide. BYD's 79 dealerships nationwide and round-the-clock Roadside Assistance meant that the convoy had a safety net stretching the full length of the country.

The Future is Charged

The journey concluded in General Santos City, the Tuna Capital, with a celebration at BYD GenSan. By covering 102 cities and municipalities, the "Drive Electric. Love Pinas." campaign officially put range anxiety to rest.

As fuel costs rise, sustainable travel offers a greener, more stable way to explore. The future of travel is here, and it is uniquely Filipino. Ready to go electric? Plan your next adventure at tourism.gov.ph, explore BYD's full lineup at bydcarsph.com, discover the ACMobility charging network at acmobility.ph, and relive the full journey at goev.ph.