Based on data from Statista, 1,013 EVs were sold locally in 2022—higher than 843 in 2021 and 378 in 2020.

This could mainly be attributed to the implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) or the Republic Act No. 11697. EVIDA implementation, however, is still a work in progress.  

In the recent pre-event press conference on the upcoming 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS), Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) President Edmund Araga shared, “Implementation remains a big challenge as it involves extensive output and promotion, the EV industry is still making necessary adjustments in terms of supplies and infrastructures. Transitions are on the way in terms of regulations being set by different government agencies involved.”

Opening a can of worms

Inevitably, the issue of mild hybrid vehicles’ number coding exemption was also raised.

Under EVIDA, electric vehicles, and hybrids are exempted from the number coding scheme. But EVAP and the Department of Energy, represented at the press conference by its Director Patrick Aquino, reiterated that this benefit does not extend to mild hybrids.

Director Aquino clarified that the main criterion for the exemption is that the vehicle in question should rely on an electric motor for propulsion, which is not the case in mild hybrids.

The department also recently published a list of electrified vehicles it considers eligible for EVIDA Law non-fiscal incentives. It only covers vehicles registered with the agency as of August 1, 2023. An updated list should include hybrid vehicles launched only this August, such as the Toyota Yaris Cross, as well as the GWM Haval Jolion and H6 Hybrids. 

Let's discuss

This topic will be among the important highlights of the 11th PEVS, a three-day summit featuring trade exhibitions and a conference to occupy three halls of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The pioneering event, which pushes for wider EV adoption in the country, will be its biggest to date.

With the theme ‘Plug-In and Accelerate,’ the 11th PEVS will be held from October 19 to 21, 2023, with a two-day conference on the 19th and 20th. It will be organized and hosted by EVAP together with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and in partnership with the DOE,  Nissan Philippines, Inc, and AC Motors.

“Not to be missed is the establishment of the Philippine Battery Consortium, which will be launched during PEVS 2023. It is aimed at addressing the important concerns and issues about battery supplies and costs. Of course, the three-day event will be a bigger venue for networking as well as for plenary and moderated discussions, which everyone would surely find helpful,” Araga concluded.

To learn more about EVAP and the 11th PEVS, visit www.evap.com.ph and www.evap.com.ph/summit. 

Should mild hybrids be excluded from the coding exemption?