DOE calls for faster electric vehicle rollout in PH

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is pushing for a faster deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines as part of efforts to reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The DOE emphasized that the transition to EVs is expected to lessen the country’s dependence on imported fuel and promote cleaner and more energy-efficient transportation technologies.

By 2028, the DOE aims to introduce approximately 2,454,200 EVs, including cars, tricycles, and motorcycles, to contribute to environmental preservation and stimulate investments in a new industry.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which seeks to create a conducive environment for the EV industry’s growth within the country, according to the department.

To encourage the adoption of electric transport nationwide, various types of EVs have been granted tax exemptions under Executive Order No. 12, a series of regulations issued in 2023. These incentives aim to mainstream the usage of EVs among Filipinos.

However, the tax breaks provided by the EO did not include e-motorcycles, which has drawn criticism from multiple stakeholders in the industry. Motorcycles constitute a significant portion of the country’s motorists.

Felix Jose Vitangcol, the Secretary General of Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship, argued that the EO should be revised to ensure that individuals from different social classes can afford to transition to green technology, particularly in light of the escalating gasoline prices.

“The current incentives only benefit more affluent Filipinos – a limited segment of the population – who can afford to purchase four-wheel vehicles,” Vitangcol noted. “This is why the government must make these tax incentives more inclusive.”

EO 12 will undergo mandatory review in eight months. It is anticipated that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will recommend amending the order to include e-motorcycles in the import tax incentives.