A few weeks shy of a year after the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), took effect, the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country have already grown exponentially, surpassing the sales numbers of 2022 in just the first quarter of this year with 2,536 units sold.
To help jumpstart green mobility in the country, EVIDA aims to make owning EVs more attractive to consumers by offering incentives for early adaptors. Such benefits include dedicated parking slots in public establishments, assigned green routes across cities and municipalities, and apparently, the most attractive of them all, the exemption of EVs from traffic coding schemes.
Because of the temporary lifting of the 30 percent import tariff on pure EVs, manufacturers are able to bring in their models at prices more Filipinos can afford. This is true not only for personal vehicles, as there is also a noticeable uptick in new industry players bringing in vehicles for commercial use.
However, the price of EVs is only one side of the coin. While the issue of not having enough charging stations is being worked on by both the public and private sectors, they are still not being built fast enough due to prohibitive costs and other factors.
“Implementation remains a big challenge as it involves extensive output and promotion,” said Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) president Edmund Araga. “The EV industry is still making necessary adjustments in terms of supplies and infrastructure. Transitions are on the way in terms of regulations being set by different government agencies involved.”
During the press conference for the 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS), Department of Energy director Patrick Aquino said that they have formally recommended to the Tariff Commission to expand the coverage of zero duty to all electrified vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with two and three wheels, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), regardless of the country of origin. It is believed that this will fast-track the adaptation of EVs even further.
Showcase of everything EV
With the theme “Plug-In and Accelerate“, the 11th PEVS will be held from October 19 to 21, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The summit is organized and hosted by EVAP with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), in partnership with the DOE, and co-presented by Nissan Philippines and AC Motors. The brands will showcase their electrified offerings, such as the Nissan LEAF and ePower technology for Nissan and the EVs from Kia and BYD, as well as the innovations in charging technology under the Ayala umbrella. Other exhibitors include DOE, Hyundai Philippines, Chery Auto Philippines, Jetour Auto Philippines, Foton Philippines, EVOxTerra, Diamond Auto Group Corporation, Pesin, Autokid Truck Solutions, and Motolite.
One of the many highlights of the summit is the launch of the Philippine Battery Consortium, which will address important concerns and issues such as battery supplies and costs. To learn more about EVAP and the 11th PEVS, visit www.evap.com.ph and www.evap.com.ph/summit.