1 month ago
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The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is urging the government to provide stronger policy support to help steer the EV industry to greater heights, building on the momentum of record-high sales last year.
Citing data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), EVAP noted that 10,001 new EVs were registered in the first half of 2024 alone. This is a substantial increase from the 10,388 during the entire year of 2023.
“The strong growth in EV sales is a positive sign, but we need to ensure that this momentum is backed by long-term policies and investments,” EVAP President Edmund Araga said in a statement on Monday, Feb. 10.
Araga said this is the most ideal time for the government to step in and affirm its commitment to the EV industry.
He aims for a policy that can create a sustainable ecosystem where EV adoption is “practical, convenient, and beneficial for all.”
According to EVAP, the increase in sales aligns with the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which mandates a five percent EV fleet requirement for government agencies and corporations.
With a successful policy already in play, the group is pushing for additional measures such as expanding import tax exemptions on EV components and higher subsidies for buyers.
EVAP is also seeking the addition of more public charging stations nationwide.
Currently, the Philippines has 500 operational charging stations.
However, industry estimates suggest that at least 5,000 will be needed by 2030 to meet projected demand.
EVAP has observed that consumer demand is undergoing a substantial shift, with more Filipinos considering EVs as a viable alternative to traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
The group is committed to harnessing this change by collaborating with the government and private sector to expand public awareness and address concerns surrounding EVs.
"Many Filipinos are still hesitant about making the switch due to concerns about range, charging accessibility, and upfront costs," said Araga.
"Through continuous education and incentives, we can show that EVs are not just the future—they are already here, and they make economic and environmental sense,” he added.
Araga said EVAP is intent on its mission of ensuring that the Philippines keeps pace with global trends in sustainable transportation.
He added that their goal is to achieve 50 percent EV adoption in new vehicle sales by 2040, which is on track with the electrification targets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In 2023, ASEAN pledged to develop a regional EV ecosystem across all member states that supports the adoption and growth of the EV industry.
The alliance also committed to making Southeast Asia a global hub for EV production.
