New CEO, MD appointed at Ampcontrol. Ampcontrol has announced the appointment of Gareth O'Reilly as Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director. O'Reilly most recently served as Chief Executive Officer, Australia at Fletcher Building, and previously as Chief Executive Officer, Pacific at Schneider Electric, where he led large, multi-brand product and solutions businesses across Australia and New Zealand with a focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and electrification. Greg Sedgwick, Chairman of the Ampcontrol Board, said that he was pleased to have a CEO of Gareth's calibre choose to lead Ampcontrol in a time of change for the industry. "I am very pleased to have such an experienced CEO with deep industry experience choose to join the team, applying his knowledge, passion and energy to take Ampcontrol to the next level," he said. "Gareth's global perspective and international background will be invaluable for Ampcontrol as the industry evolves and adapts to meet new demands." O'Reilly said that he is looking forward to working with the Ampcontrol team and that he believes the company is well-positioned to support customers on their electrification journey. "I look forward to working with the talented team at Ampcontrol to deliver on our strategy, support our people, and continue innovating for the future," he said.

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news hereGreen GSM launched the first all-electric taxi service in the Philippines June 10, 2025.Operated by Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company, the service enters its fourth international market, following Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia.Green GSM will initially operate in 10 of Metro Manila’s 16 cities.The service will use a fleet of VinFast Nerio Green electric vehicles. It aims to provide zero-emission transport for the region’s 13 million residents.The vehicles feature real-time monitoring systems and AI-driven tools for safety and efficiency.Fares will be calculated through meters and displayed on the Green GSM app, which is available for download.Customers can book rides via the app, a hotline, or designated pick-up points.🔗 Source: VinGroup🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Electric taxi competition heats up in the Philippines amid rapid industry changesGSM’s launch represents the second major electric taxi initiative in Metro Manila within a short timeframe, following Grab’s recent introduction of fully electric taxi services in partnership with EV Taxi Corp 1.This competitive landscape is developing as the broader ride-hailing market shows significant growth, with inDrive expanding to over 20,000 driver-partners in Q1 2025 and planning 30-40% further growth by year-end 2.The Philippines’ transport sector is experiencing an accelerated shift, with multiple players simultaneously working to electrify services that have been traditionally dominated by combustion-engine vehicles 1.Both GSM and Grab are focusing their initial operations on key urban centers in Metro Manila, suggesting these areas are seen as proving grounds for electric mobility solutions before wider deployment 1, 3.This competitive dynamic could accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation in a market where consumer awareness of electric vehicles has been relatively limited compared to more mature markets.2️⃣ Economic and operational advantages drive electric taxi adoption despite challengesElectric taxis typically operate with running costs approximately 60% lower than traditional gasoline vehicles, providing a compelling long-term business case despite higher initial investment 4.Maintenance expenses are substantially reduced for electric taxi fleets due to fewer moving parts, with vehicles requiring less frequent servicing, which is particularly valuable for high-mileage commercial operations 5, 4.The customer experience benefits from electric vehicles’ quieter, smoother rides with zero emissions, creating a premium service differentiation in a competitive market 5.However, these advantages must be balanced against significant challenges, including the higher upfront vehicle costs and the need for comprehensive charging infrastructure to support continuous operation 4, 6.GSM’s approach of launching with a standardized fleet of VinFast Nerio Green electric vehicles suggests a strategy to optimize maintenance and operations through fleet homogeneity, potentially addressing some of these operational challenges.Recent GSM developments