With the rising number of electrified cars in the country, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is asking the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to list down the electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids that are exempted from the number coding.
ABS-CBN Teleradyo interview with MMDA Chairman Artes
In an interview by ABS-CBN Teleradyo with MMDA Chairman Don Artes, the government agency chief said that the list of exempted electrified vehicles will prevent confusion among traffic enforcers. Some of them cannot distinguish electrified and non-electrified models.
Not only does this build up traffic but is also said to pose danger for enforcers as they have to go to the middle of the road to flag down motorists.
According to the Republic Act 11697, a.k.a the EVIDA (Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act) Law, electrified vehicles including EVs, full hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrids are exempted from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or number coding.
The list can clarify the models exempted from the number coding [Photo: MMDA FB Page]
While there is a good number of choices for full and plug-in hybrids in the country, the local EV market is still in its early stages. The EV models made available to Filipino car buyers by mainstream automakers include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Nissan LEAF.
This law encourages Filipinos to buy electrified vehicles, which help reduce carbon emissions. An electrified vehicle also offers better fuel efficiency as compared to pure international combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.
But one interesting takeaway from the EVIDA Law is that there is no mention of mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs). While both full and mild hybrids get assistance from an electric motor, the latter cannot run on electricity alone as it has a smaller battery outlet of around 48 volts.
Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid
Among the MHEVs available in the country are the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, Geely Okavango, and Geely Azkarra.
The LTO could clarify this issue once it passes a list of exempted electric vehicles from the number coding to the MMDA.
Get the latest transport sector updates at Philkotse.com.