How much does it cost to charge an EV at home versus at a public station?

Posted on 04/22/2026 by in TopGear

Over the past couple of years, the electric vehicle charging network in the Philippines has substantially grown. Most SM malls now offer AC chargers, while Ayala’s ACMobility has stretched its EV charging spine from Ilocos Norte to Zamboanga.

International brands like Tesla and VinFast have also committed to expanding their own local charging networks, as sales of their fully electric vehicles continue to pick up. Overall, the Department of Energy has listed over 1,500 active public charging stations, with varying rates and power outputs.

Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD 2026

Meanwhile, many new EV purchases come with free wall chargers, making home charging more accessible. However, there are installation fees, which may initially offset the savings from the cheaper charging rates.

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With many charging solutions available, EV owners now have some flexibility on where they can charge and how much they can spend. We’ve outlined some of the most popular options within Metro Manila. Note that these prices may change after the publishing date of this article.

2026 EV charging rates: Home chargers

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At the time of writing, Meralco rates are listed at P15.55/kWh. As mentioned, many new EVs come with free AC wall chargers, but with separate installation fees and other possible costs. The final charging fees will depend on the battery size and usage of the EV, but this is the most affordable rate based on the electricity rate alone.

2026 EV charging rates: ACMobility

Image of an ACMobility electric vehicle charger

Generally, ACMobility EV charging stations feature CCS2 AC and DC chargers. AC outputs range from 7-22kW, with fees ranging from P22-28.5/kWh. The more powerful DC points can give out as much as 150kW, and generally cost P35/kWh.

ACMobility also has subscription programs that offer charging credits in exchange for monthly fees. While the cost per kilowatt stays the same, these could help motorists budget their charging and save money.

2026 EV charging rates: Tesla Philippines

photo of tesla charging station at opus mall

Tesla vehicles in the Philippines also use CCS2 chargers, with proprietary stations available at select commercial centers across Metro Manila. After home charging, Tesla offers the most affordable rates, at just P16/kWh with their Destination chargers. These return between 7-11kWh, while the more powerful Superchargers output as much as 250kW. Those cost slightly more at P19/kWh.

2026 EV charging rates: SM Supermalls

SM City Marikina EV charging station

At the time of writing, SM still offers free charging at all of its mall stations. Select locations feature 80kW DC chargers, while most hold 7.4kW AC outlets. Motorists can then charge for up to three hours at a time.

2026 EV charging rates: V-Green

VinFast owners can charge for free at all V-Green stations nationwide, until March 31, 2029. While most of these are located in the Rizal province, the company does plan to expand to more localities and urban hubs.