Government, private sectors key in accelerating EV adoption in PH

It’s evident that the future of mobility leans toward electric vehicles (EV). Several countries have already released their respective policies banning new internal combustion vehicles with Norway implementing it as early as 2025. 

Honda e electric vehicle

As a result, car brands have shifted their strategies by investing a lot in EV development. Honda is among those brands as it plans to transform its vehicle lineup by only selling EVs by 2040.  

This is the reason why the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) wants to fast-track the country’s EV adoption. EVAP calls on the government, and the private sector to reaffirm their commitment to help pave the way for the EV shift.

“We need to step up our efforts to achieve our goals for rapid EV deployment and to do this, government and private sectors need to collectively reaffirm their commitment to do so,” said EVAP President Edmund Araga. 

9th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit

As such, accelerating EV adoption is the theme of the 9th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS), a two-day virtual event that will run until tomorrow, September 24. The said event is in partnership with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), which focuses on fast-tracking electric EV adoption in the local transport sector. The 9th PEVS will also tackle the current steps being taken in regards to the shift to EVs.      

Among the steps to support EV adoption in the Philippines is the Senate Bill (SB) No. 1382 or the proposed Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act, which has been approved on the third and final reading last May 2021. SB 1382 intends to promote “clean, sustainable, and efficient energy” as means to reduce reliance on imported fuel. SB 1382 states that the Department of Energy (DOE) shall be the primary agency that’s tasked with the adoption of EVs.

Senate Bill 1382 is one of the steps toward EV adoption in the Philippines

SB 1382 also requires private and public buildings and establishments to have dedicated parking slots with charging stations, and for gasoline stations to have a dedicated space for charging stations.     

A study conducted by Frost & Sullivan titled The Future of Electrified Vehicles in Southeast Asia showed that the Philippines is among the top countries that are open to make the EV shift. The study added that 45 percent of Filipinos are keen on the possibility of purchasing an EV in the next three years.  

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