SM Supermalls celebrates Earth Day with free EV charging

As part of its latest Earth Day campaign, SM Supermalls has rolled out an electric vehicle (EV) charging network across the Philippines—offering it entirely free of charge.

With 123 EV charging stations across 69 malls and plans to add 50 more in 2025, SM Supermalls has already dispensed more than 14,500 kWh of clean electricity to electric vehicle users. The goal is to normalise sustainable mobility and make it as accessible as a trip to the supermarket.

"Our malls are more than shopping destinations—they're spaces where people and the planet can thrive together," said Liza Silerio, vice president for corporate compliance and programme director of SM Cares for Environment, in a release. "Through programmes that are easy to join, SM makes it possible for every visitor to take part in a more sustainable future."

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As electric vehicles become more commonplace across Southeast Asia, one of the key hurdles remains infrastructure. By placing charging stations within retail hubs—where people already spend time—SM Supermalls offers a practical solution: charge while you shop, dine, or catch a film.

The free charging extends beyond Earth Day. During Holy Week recently, SM Supermalls announced that electric vehicle owners heading on long road trips could enjoy free EV charging at 69 of its malls.

However, the EV push is just one piece of a wider environmental ecosystem. SM Supermalls has also installed solar panels across 47 malls, generating 27.6 GWh of clean energy in 2024 alone, equivalent to taking over 4,100 cars off the road, the company said. Their goal of 100MWp rooftop solar capacity by 2027 shows no sign of slowing down.

It incorporates features like LED lighting, motion-sensor escalators, and skylights that harness natural light to reduce electricity use. Additionally, the malls are enhanced with sky gardens, while contributing 110 MW of capacity to the department of energy's interruptible load programme.

In 2023, SM Supermalls launched the #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign, promoting proper waste segregation with RDC bin systems across its malls. The initiative includes a monthly recycling market, exchanging over 1 million kilograms of recyclables for cash. SM also offers plastic and e-waste drop-off points at participating malls, diverting over 63,000 kg of plastic and 11,000 kg of e-waste from landfills, in partnership with Friends of Hope and Smart/PLDT.

Combined with these other eco-conscious efforts—including coastal clean-ups—the EV initiative signals SM Supermalls' commitment to embedding sustainability in everyday life.

As of March 31, the Department of Energy reported that 912 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations are now operational across the Philippines. The government also plans to introduce new regulatory guidelines for a "safe, efficient, and sustainable charging network," including standards for fast charger installations. The goal is to deploy over 7,000 EV charging stations by 2028.

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