Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are poised to steal the spotlight from hybrids next year, as demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs) shifts into a higher gear in 2026.
That’s the forecast from BYD Philippines country head Adam Hu, who said BEVs are expected to capture a larger slice of the NEV pie—provided the country can plug into a faster charging rollout.
Hu made the remarks as Denza Philippines formally launched its premium brand, headlined by the D9 DM-i seven-seat plug-in hybrid minivan set for release on February 27. Two sport utility vehicles, the Denza B5 and B8, will follow in March.
The Philippines, Hu noted, is emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s quickest converts to electrified mobility. BYD’s local sales revved up from fewer than 5,000 units in 2024 to over 26,000 in 2025. Industry-wide, NEV sales reached 32,489 units last year, dominated by hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) at 25,737 units. BEVs trailed at 4,613—but not quietly.
Still, Hu flagged a looming speed bump: charging infrastructure. Official data show just 442 public charging stations nationwide, a modest figure for an archipelago of over 7,000 islands. Unlike its mainland neighbors, the Philippines faces a logistical maze in building a seamless charging network.
BYD, Hu said, is open to serving as a technology partner for local firms rolling out chargers, offering in-house systems while private players lead deployment. Expanding public charging—especially for motorists without home setups—will be critical as NEV ownership grows.
The early game plan for Denza is less about volume and more about visibility. With four dealerships in place, the premium marque is betting that strong branding and service will win over a price-sensitive but rapidly electrifying market.
