The Philippine electric vehicle (e-vehicle) industry aims to have a nation where the use of electric vehicles is highly promoted, encouraged, and supported by its government and society in order to develop a transportation landscape that is one with the environment, ecologically and economically.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) aspires for the establishment of a national development program for electric vehicles that is anchored on the existing Motor Vehicle Development Program for the automotive industry. This is to be implemented in four (4) phases of within a ten-year-period. The first phase (2013) is the launch of the program, including technology upgrading needed by the industry; the second phase (2014 to 2015) involves the build up of the local market and enhancement of its production capacity; the third phase (2016 to 2018) will be for local and export market expansion, together with horizontal and vertical integration with the local automotive industry; and the fourth phase (2019 to 2023) will be the full integration, regional and global, developmental evolution in technological advancement and market size up.
Towards this, the industry seeks to pursue operational and regulatory reforms; strengthen the automotive policy environment; address industry supply chain gaps; and implement market development strategies.
Currently, there are 28 firms engaged in the manufacturing of various electric vehicles. Complementing these companies are 11 parts and component manufacturers and seven importers. The industry currently provides employment to 14,840 individuals. As the government continues to support the use of electric vehicles, the industry is expected to grow in the coming years.
With sustainable development as one its main thrusts, the Philippine government has been promoting the use of electric vehicles across the country, including as a form of public transportation. Executive Order 488 (s. 2006) was issued to support the manufacturing of e-vehicles, as well as to further reduce the country’s fossil fuel consumption. This issuance reduced the tariff rate for e-vehicle components to zero, thereby allowing e-vehicle manufacturers to import components at a more affordable price.
In Metro Manila, major cities have started to make use of e-vehicles to transport local residents and transient workers. Electric jeeps and electric tricycles are also getting more and more common in the country’s major business districts and urban areas. The establishment of “green cities” is also expected to generate higher demand for e-vehicles for public transportation.
The steady increase in the number of tourist arrivals in the Philippines has led to an increased demand for environmentally sound transport services. Resorts and local government units have started to invest in e-vehicles, such as electric tricycles and electric jeeps, to reduce carbon emission, to preserve the natural beauty of the environment, and to provide transportation to the growing number of tourists. This trend is now gaining momentum due to heightened environmental awareness. E-vehicles can be found in key tourist spots such as Boracay and Palawan.
Manufacturing Employment | Number of Employees |
Electric Vehicle Manufacturing | 8,600 |
Electric Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 5,300 |
EV Importers, Dealers and Traders | 840 |
Auto-Supporting Industries Employment | 42,000 |
The establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles is among the preferred activities listed in the IPP. The charging stations could refer to a ‘service station’ designed to simultaneously fast charge multiple vehicles similar to gasoline/diesel stations or a network of at least 5 charging stands.
Application for registration must be accompanied by an endorsement from the Department of Energy-Investment Promotion Office (DOE-IPO).
Executive Order 488 modified the rates of import duty on components, parts and accessories for the assembly of hybrid, electric, flexible fuel and compressed natural gas motor vehicles to zero rate.
There are Philippine National Standards for electric vehicles.
PNS ISO 6469-1:2008 Electric road vehicles – Safety specifications – Part 1: On-board electrical energy storage
PNS ISO 6469-2:2008 Electric road vehicles – Safety specifications – Part 2: Functional safety means and protection against failures
PNS ISO 6469-3:2008 Electric road vehicles – Safety specifications – Part 3: Protection of persons against electric hazards
PNS ISO 8713:2008 Electric road vehicles – Vocabulary ISO published in 2005
PNS ISO 8714:2008 Electric road vehicles – Reference energy consumption and range – Test Procedures for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles
PNS ISO 8715:2008 Electric road vehicles – Road operating characteristics
PNS ISO 23274:2008 Hybrid-electric road vehicles – Exhaust emissions and fuel consumption measurements – Non externally chargeable vehicles
The Department of Energy’s E-Trike Project aims to (1) deploy 100,000 e-trikes nationwide to replace the same number of traditional gasoline-fed tricycles; (2) reduce the transport sector’s annual petroleum consumption by 2.8% (equivalent to 89.2 million liters) per year; and (3) achieve 79% carbon dioxide(CO2) footprint avoidance.
The US$504-million project is being implemented for five years. Largely financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), the project seeks to help ensure energy security through the promotion of energy efficient and clean technologies.
The E-Vehicles industry Technical Working Group (TWG) holds meetings inviting stakeholders both from the public and private sectors to discuss updates and current activities, as well as address challenges being faced by the industry.
2nd Floor, PDP Bldg. 1440 Quezon Ave.,
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: (63) 923-943-2073
Email: secretariat.evap@gmail.com
Industry and Investments Building,
385 Senator Gil Puyat Ave.,
Makati City Philippines
Tel. No.: (632) 896-9239
Email: MCHDichosa@boi.gov.ph