EV and ICE: 2 ways to get to Anvaya

A drive with Dongfeng cars

- By NEIL PAGULAYAN

EV adoption may be accelerating in the Philippines but there are still many buyers that are uneasy with making the shift. Thankfully, there are brands like Dongfeng that still offer both kinds of vehicles for buyers to choose from.

No doubt, many are still wondering if modern electric vehicles (EVs) can match the range of internal combustion engines (ICE). To put that question to rest, Dongfeng organized a drive to a popular summer destination, Anvaya Cove.

Dongfeng is a brand that’s been around for quite a while here in the Philippines, distributed by Legado Motors, Inc. For this trip, they’ve prepared their entire lineup for us to choose from. Initially, their offerings were EV’s and a hybrid, but last year expanded their offerings to include ICE vehicles too.

On the day of the drive, the vehicles we got to choose from were the Aeolus Huge (Hybrid), Aeolus Mage 1.5 Turbo (ICE), Forthing Friday (EV), Forthing U-Tour 7-seat MPV (ICE), Nammi (EV), and the Rich 7 (ICE Diesel). The destination was well within the range of the EV’s and would give us a chance to see how they fare on the expressways.

Dongfeng Nammi (EV)

The first of two vehicles we drove on this trip was their subcompact EV hatchback, the Dongfeng Nammi. Bigger than the little hatchback they introduced in 2023 the Nanobox, the Nammi’s motor has a peak power output of 70-hp and 160-Nm of torque, and boasts of a 430-km range (CLTC) on a full charge. With three occupants, the Nammi was quite roomy despite it’s small stature.