10 things EV charging can do for your commercial property, and what each one depends on
Electric vehicle (EV) charging can bring a commercial property rent or revenue, longer visits, new visitors and a sustainability record it can show. Each of those depends on your site: who parks there, how long they stay, and the deal you sign. The list below puts each benefit next to the condition behind it.
At the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit in Pasay in October 2026, more than one Provider walked me through the deals they offer property owners.
1. Rent or a share of charging revenue
A Provider can pay you a fixed rent for the parking slots, or a share of what drivers pay. It depends on the deployment model and on how often the chargers are used. Two identical chargers on two properties can earn very different amounts, so be careful with any revenue figure you're shown before anyone has looked at your site.
2. A way in with no upfront cost
Under a zero capital expenditure deal, the Provider pays for the chargers and the installation. You pay for it in other ways: these deals usually come with a longer contract and a smaller share for you.
3. Visitors who stay longer
A driver who plugs in tends to stay until the car has enough charge. In 2014, Simon Property Group told GlobeSt.com that its EV customers spent about 50% more time at its US malls, and said results varied from mall to mall (GlobeSt.com, 2014). I haven't seen a Philippine study yet.
It works best where people already stay an hour or more: malls, hotels, resorts and sit-down restaurants.
4. A reason for EV drivers to pick your site
EV drivers plan their stops around where they can charge, especially on longer trips. It depends on whether the charger speed fits how long they stay. A slow charger at a 20 minute coffee stop adds little. A fast charger at a hotel, where cars sit overnight, may be more than you need.
5. A place on charging apps and maps
Charging apps such as PlugShare show drivers where the stations are, so your property appears to every EV driver searching nearby. That depends on the Provider listing your site and keeping the listing up to date. Ask for both in writing.
6. An amenity for tenants and staff
Offices, condominiums and mixed-use buildings can offer charging to the people who park there every day. Before you set aside slots, count how many of them drive an EV now, or plan to.
7. A head start on the EVIDA law
The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA, Republic Act No. 11697) and its implementing rules set EV charging duties for some commercial buildings and parking areas. Which duties apply depends on your type of building. Ask the DOE (Department of Energy) or your lawyer which ones cover yours.
8. A sustainability record you can back up
Publicly listed companies already file sustainability reports with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), under its Memorandum Circular No. 4, series of 2019 (summary by the Asian Development Bank). Chargers on your property are something you can report. Real use counts for more than the hardware: a record of how many charging sessions ran says more than a photo of an empty charger.
9. Parking that is ready for the cars coming
Members of CAMPI (Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines) and TMA (Truck Manufacturers Association) sold 32,489 electrified vehicles in 2025. That was about 12% of their sales, up from about 7% a year earlier (Manila Bulletin, 26 January 2026).
Most of those were hybrids, which never plug in. Battery EVs and plug-in hybrids came to 6,752. The figures also leave out BYD, which isn't a CAMPI or TMA member. So count the cars that plug in, in your area, before you plan for them.
10. Lower power charges on a dedicated meter, if the ERC draft is adopted
Under the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) draft rules for EV charging stations, a charger on its own utility meter would have no minimum billing. AC (alternating current) stations would pay no bill deposit, and DC (direct current) fast-charging stations would pay half. Two conditions apply: the rules have to be adopted as drafted, and the station needs its own utility meter, since a sub-meter wouldn't qualify. Our article on the ERC draft rules for property owners explains the rest.
The trade-offs you accept
Each benefit above has a cost on the other side of the deal:
- parking slots set aside, often for years
- a long contract, with a fee if you leave early
- possible power upgrades, and the question of who pays for them
- less say over the price drivers pay, unless your agreement gives it to you
If these don't fit your property, saying no is a fair result. Our Host Agreement Checklist lists the questions to ask each Provider before you sign.
About ZEEE Green
ZEEE Green Business Consultancy is an independent EV charging advisor based in Santo Tomas, Batangas, serving commercial property owners across CALABARZON, Philippines. It assesses whether a property suits EV charging and advises owners on how to plan and evaluate their charging options, including DOE-accredited charging Providers. ZEEE Green does not sell, install or operate chargers, and it does not broker, lease or sell property.
If you own a commercial property in CALABARZON, book a free site screening (limited slots each month) or call +63 993 208 7891.
This article is general guidance and not legal or financial advice.