FLEETDRIVE
SHEINBAUM PUSHES FOR MEXICO-MADE EV
TESLA LAUNCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES
FAST FOOD STOPS INCREASE FLEET COSTS
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to unite companies and researchers to develop affordable electric vehicles ( EVs ) for her country . With an influx of China- and Indiamade EVs , Sheinbaum vowed that her government will develop its own affordable , Mexican-made EV . “ The idea is to use Mexican companies and Mexican researchers ’ ingenuity , to bring them together to assemble this electric car ,” she said in a statement .
Facing Trump ’ s impending tariff impositions on Mexico , Tesla owner Elon Musk halted the company ’ s plans to establish a facility in Mexico . “ I think we need to see just where things stand after the election . Trump has said that he will put heavy tariffs on vehicles produced in Mexico . So , it doesn ’ t make sense to invest a lot in Mexico if that is going to be the case ,” said the South African tech tycoon .
It ’ s no surprise that Mexico ’ s current president is making moves to shift the country towards EVs — Sheinbaum herself has a PhD in Energy Engineering . Though her goal could be effective in the long run , the Sheinbaum administration will need to consider some challenges that Mexican citizens can face .
Tesla made its official debut on Philippine shores last November . With increasing interest in electric vehicles in the Philippines , Tesla ’ s debut was long anticipated by Filipino drivers and car enthusiasts .
The company established the Tesla Experience Center as its first showroom in the archipelago . Tesla paired their debut with the release of the Model Y and Model 3 . Both vehicles are sold for over 2 million PHP or 52,205 AUD . According to Tesla ’ s regional director , Isabel Fan , the company is set to debut more models in the Philippines in the near future .
As far as charging goes for these EVs , Tesla ’ s line of supercharging service for their models is set to be at PHP 19 or AUD 0.50 per kwh ( kilowatt-hour ). Thus , a full charge for a Tesla EV costs PHP 1,140 or AUD 29.76 per use . The company plans to create its network of superchargers across malls in Metro Manila , the first being in its showroom in Bonifacio Global City .
Vehicle rollout for Tesla ’ s first Filipino buyers is set to be in early 2025 .
Coined “ McIdling ,” the act of stopping by a fast-food restaurant is building up costs for fleet owners and drivers alike . UK research and results from telematics show that drivers are most idle at fast-food chains during break times . Fleet drivers are likely to leave their engines and car air-conditioning on while taking their lunch , racking up fuel costs at the end of the day .
British fleet solutions company Lightfoot found that a diesel-engine vehicle can use up to a litre of fuel per hour . According to their calculations , a driver can accrue up to 500 AUD per year in fuel costs if their vehicle is left idle while at lunch . A litre per hour for 240 working days in a year equate up to “ around four full tanks of diesel for a medium panel van .” Additionally , an idle car can release 2.7kg of carbon emissions per working year ( 240 days ).
“ If a driver sits in their cab eating a Big Mac Meal , and leaves the van idling while they do it , the cost of that lunch goes up from 7.10 GBP ( 13.84 AUD ) to 8.35 GBP ( 16.07 AUD ) with the extra fuel used . That can really add up over the course of the year ,” said Paul Hollick , Lightfoot ’ s Managing Director .
ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2024 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU 41