Pinoys show growing interest in hybrids, EVs – study

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May 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seeing growing consumer interest in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) as motorists seek to cut fuel costs, but limited infrastructure continues to hinder wider adoption, according to a study by professional services firm Deloitte.

The 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study, which covered over 28,000 respondents from 27 markets, including the Philippines, showed a growing shift in Filipinos’ vehicle preference.

In particular, Filipino consumers’ interest in hybrid and EVs increased to 34 percent from just 27 percent last year.

The growing interest is due to lower fuel costs (62 percent), concerns about the environment (49 percent) and a better driving experience (45 percent).

Despite increasing preference for EVs, 48 percent of Filipino respondents cited the lack of public charging infrastructure as a barrier to greater adoption, particularly for battery  EVs.

Other top concerns cited were the cost of battery replacement and the time required to change them.

The study also showed that Filipino consumers have a high switching intent, with 68 percent planning to go for a different brand for their next vehicle, among the highest in Southeast Asia.

For Filipino consumers, performance (67 percent), product quality (64 percent) and price (52 percent) are important factors in choosing their next vehicle.

“Affordability still shapes how Filipinos think about mobility. And with the current volatility in global oil markets, pressure at the pump may become a catalyst for faster transition to EVs,” Carlo Navarro, consumer industry leader at Deloitte Philippines, said.

He said that both the public and private sector are supporting the shift through the rollout of charging infrastructure, financing and fleet transition programs.

The government is also set to launch an EV Incentive Strategy to encourage the manufacture of electrified vehicles in the country.

“This alignment of consumer demand for affordability with public-private investment in infrastructure can be the inflection point that can hasten the transition toward electric and more sustainable mobility solutions,” Navarro said.

However, the uncertainty on who should manage end-of-life batteries shows gaps that should be addressed as EV adoption grows.

“Addressing charging infrastructure, battery lifecycle and consumer confidence will require sustained collaboration between government and business. Only by accelerating this transition together can we ensure that the promise of EVs translates into lasting value for Filipino consumers and the broader economy,” Navarro said.