DOE backs EV adoption growth with new classification system
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends the launch of Tesla Center in the Philippines on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Taguig City. Marcos visited the newly completed 1,900-square-meter Tesla Center which features a showroom, service and delivery center, headquarters, main office, and charging stations for electric vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a “clearer” electric vehicle (EV) classification system to further spur adoption in the local market, with the agency noting a threefold registration growth since 2023.
In a statement Tuesday, the DOE said it issued a new department circular to reflect the goals under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.
The circular, which will take effect on Sept. 20, amended the EV recognition guidelines, as well as crafted a “consistent and comprehensive framework” for classifying EV units.
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Under the latest directive, EVs will be classified as follows:
- Battery EVs, or those with a traction battery as power source, including the pure electric vehicles
- Hybrid EVs, or those with both rechargeable energy storage system and a fueled power source, and have tailpipe emissions
- Light EVs, or those used in micromobility such as electric scooters, electric bicycles or those that weigh less than 50 kg.
- Plug-in Hybrid EVs, or the HEVs with RESS that can be charged from an external energy source and have tailpipe emissions
- Range Extender/d EVs, or the HEVs propelled by an electric motor only with a fueled power source specifically used for charging the RESS; and
- Fuel Cell EVs, or those with no tailpipe emissions that use a fuel cell to generate power.
Future-ready
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“The issuance of this policy is a critical step toward building a more organized, accessible and future-ready EV market in the Philippines,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
“By harmonizing our EV recognition guidelines, we are reducing administrative burdens, increasing transparency, and accelerating EV adoption nationwide,” she added.
Based on data from the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Office, EV registrations in the first seven months reached 29,715, surpassing last year’s figure. The EV registrations likewise represent about 5 percent of new vehicle registrations, a threefold surge from two years ago. /dda
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