Japan firms to introduce electric vehicles in PH

Global auto giants Nissan and Mitsubishi are making a push to introduce their electric vehicles in the Philippines as efforts to promote the local market fall into place, according to an industry group.

In a statement, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (Evap) said it was now time to leverage industry players’ partnership with the government as well as other participants in the sectors to push the adoption of electric vehicles or EVs for public and private transportation.

“It is our belief that by stepping up partnerships, we can electrify public and private transport much faster,” Evap president Rommel Juan said.

“Since we started our advocacy 10 years ago by building our first e-jeepney and established the [Evap], we feel that everything is falling into place now,” Juan said.

He added that government and business interest in electric transport was “growing rapidly” as costs associated with EVs begin to drop and charging infrastructure start to expand.

“Even automotive giants such as Nissan and Mitsubishi are making a push in bringing their EV models to the Philippine market,” Juan said.

“Early this year, a regional survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan revealed that Filipinos are the most eager to buy EVs when they make their next purchase decision,” he added.

To further drum up the EV campaign, Evap is organizing the 6th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, which will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on July 10-11.

Among the highlights of the summit are presentations to be made by Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, which will showcase their EV technology.

Also helping in the summit are Manila Electric Co. and the Partnership for Clean Air as well as the Departments of Transportation (DOTr), of Trade and Industry (DTI), and of Energy (DOE).

“In the public sector front, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is in full swing and (the DOTr) will soon launch its project to create an enabling environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport system in the Philippines,” Juan said.

“Adoption of electric cars in the Philippines for own use and for private commercial transport use (such as taxis) is inevitable but the government and the private sector need to collaborate to put in place a clear policy, timeframe and infrastructure to grow the sector,” he said.