Francisco Motors Elektron: The Filipino Electric SUV, Explained (2026)

The Francisco Motors Elektron is the first fully electric passenger vehicle from Francisco Motors, the storied Filipino company famous for its jeepneys and on Philippine roads since 1947. Unveiled in 2026, it is a five-door compact crossover SUV whose flagship Deluxe variant was announced at ₱1,947,000 — under ₱2 million — with the company claiming up to roughly 600 km of range on the range-topping model. Some specifications were still provisional at launch — but the Elektron matters for one big reason: it is a homegrown Filipino EV taking on the wave of imported models.

What is the Francisco Motors Elektron?

The Elektron is Francisco Motors' first battery-electric passenger car — a five-door compact crossover SUV revealed in 2026. As announced, it comes in three configurations. The entry-level "Basic" reportedly pairs a single electric motor with a 54.9 kWh battery, provisionally rated at around 400 km of range, while the top-tier variant is claimed to reach up to roughly 600 km on a single charge. Francisco Motors has also advertised an eight-year or 150,000-km warranty.

It is worth being clear-eyed here: at the time of its unveiling, several figures were described as provisional or unconfirmed. Treat the range, battery and variant details as early manufacturer claims rather than independently tested numbers — the sort of thing that often shifts between reveal and showroom.

Who is Francisco Motors?

Francisco Motors is one of the country's oldest carmakers. Founded in 1947 by Anastacio Francisco in the Zapote area of Metro Manila, it began as a small painting and body-building shop before growing into a pioneering manufacturer of the jeepney — arguably the most iconic vehicle in Filipino motoring history.

That heritage is a big part of the Elektron's appeal. A legendary Filipino name going electric is a very different story from another imported badge, and Francisco Motors has leaned into that "jeepney heritage" angle. For a lot of buyers, "made by a Filipino company" carries real weight — and it is a large reason this launch has caught attention.

How much does the Francisco Motors Elektron cost?

Here is the important nuance: the ₱1,947,000 figure Francisco Motors published is for the top Deluxe variant, and the company has said this is not the starting price of the range. Cheaper Basic and Fashion variants — plus planned commercial and fleet versions — sit below it, though their prices had not been announced at launch. So the honest read is that the Elektron's flagship lands just under ₱2 million, and the entry models should cost less still, with exact figures to confirm once Francisco Motors publishes them.

If you are cross-shopping, it helps to see the wider field: our roundups of the cheapest electric cars in the Philippines and the best electric cars in the Philippines put pricing in context, and you can browse charging guides for dozens of models on our EV models hub.

What are the Elektron's range and battery?

Per Francisco Motors, the range spans three variants: the Basic (54.9 kWh battery, over 400 km claimed), the Fashion (63.2 kWh, over 500 km), and the range-topping Deluxe, claimed to reach up to about 600 km on a full charge. As with every EV, treat headline range as a best case: real-world range in Philippine heat, heavy traffic and constant aircon use is typically lower than the sticker figure — something we cover in EV range in Philippine traffic and heat. If you are new to the jargon, our EV glossary explains range, kWh and the rest in plain English.

How would you charge the Elektron?

Francisco Motors had not published complete charging specifications at launch, so it is best not to assume the exact connectors or speeds yet. What we can say is how charging generally works in the Philippines: almost every EV sold here uses a Type 2 plug for AC (home and slower public charging) and CCS2 for DC fast charging — the standards explained in our guide to EV charging connectors.

Whatever the Elektron ends up using, the practical side is the same as any EV here. You can find and reserve public chargers on the live EVChargePH map, estimate a top-up with our charging-time calculator, and plan a home setup with our home charging guide. We will update this article once Francisco Motors confirms the Elektron's charging details.

How does the Elektron compare to BYD, MG and the rest?

The Elektron arrives into a crowded market. Chinese brands such as BYD, GAC Aion, MG, Chery and Geely have expanded quickly in the Philippines, offering electric crossovers and sedans across a wide range of prices — you can see how each charges on our charging by car brand pages, including BYD.

The Elektron's pitch is simply different. Rather than competing purely on spec-sheet value, it leans on being Filipino-made, with a heritage brand and the promise of local roots. Whether the driving experience, build quality and after-sales support match the imports is exactly what buyers will be watching — and what independent reviews, once they arrive, should answer.

Why the Elektron matters

Beyond one car, the Elektron is a marker of where Philippine motoring is heading. Under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, the government is actively pushing EV adoption and local manufacturing — the framework we explain in the EVIDA law, explained. A homegrown electric SUV from a historic Filipino carmaker fits squarely into that story, whatever happens with the final numbers.

For now, the honest summary is this: the Elektron is real, it is Filipino, it is priced under ₱2 million, and its headline range is ambitious — with several details still to be confirmed. It is one of the most interesting EV stories in the country right now, and well worth keeping an eye on.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Francisco Motors Elektron real and available?

Yes. Francisco Motors unveiled the Elektron in 2026 as its first electric passenger SUV. That said, some specifications were still provisional at launch, so confirm final specs, pricing and availability directly with Francisco Motors before making any decision.

How much does the Elektron cost?

Francisco Motors has published ₱1,947,000 for the top Deluxe variant and said this is not the lineup's starting price. The cheaper Basic and Fashion variants sit below it, but their prices had not been announced at launch — so expect the entry Elektron to cost less than the ₱1,947,000 flagship.

What is the Elektron's range?

Francisco Motors provisionally rates the entry Basic (54.9 kWh) at around 400 km, and claims up to roughly 600 km for the top variant. These are early manufacturer figures; real-world range is usually lower.

Is the Elektron a Filipino-made EV?

Yes. It comes from Francisco Motors, the historic Filipino jeepney manufacturer founded in 1947, which makes the Elektron one of the most notable homegrown EV efforts in the country.

Note: figures here are based on Francisco Motors' 2026 launch announcements and early reporting from outlets including Gulf News and Tech Times. Some specifications remain provisional and may change — always confirm the latest details with Francisco Motors.