Philippines: One million electric vehicles by 2020
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said that a million electric vehicles could be riding on the streets of the country’s urban centers, up from 500 currently, mostly electric trikes and jeepneys. The statement was given at the 3rd Electric Vehicle Summit, recently held in Pasig.
Like most places, government is seen as the key to to boosting numbers of battery-driven vehicles. Instead of roadblocks – Manny Pangilinan, the chairman of the Manila Electric Company reportedly can’t drive his Tesla Model S on public roads because of registration issues -, the organisation is lobbying for legislation that would include such things as excise and import tax exemptions, as well as registration and parking perks.
Already, some government agencies are taking steps that could help move things in a positive direction. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is phasing out use of buses and mini-buses more than 13 years old and is considering doing the same with public utility jeepneys with more than 15 years of age. That would create a huge market for newer, cleaner vehicles to drive into.
Private industry is also poised to take advantage of the opportunity. Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. has just signed an agreement with Taiwanese firm TECO that could see a huge increase in local production of electric jeepneys, and have already teamed up for a bid to build as many as 100,000 e-trikes. While the one million mark by 2020 might seem ambitious, it certainly looks like the effort is there to make it happen.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said that a million electric vehicles could be riding on the streets of the country's urban centers, up from 500 currently, mostly electric trikes and jeepneys. The statement was given at the 3rd Electric Vehicle Summit, recently held in Pasig. Like most places, government is seen as the key to to boosting numbers of battery-driven vehicles. Instead of roadblocks - Manny Pangilinan, the chairman of the Manila Electric Company reportedly can't drive his Tesla Model S on public roads because of registration issues -, the organisation is lobbying for legislation that would...
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said that a million electric vehicles could be riding on the streets of the country’s urban centers, up from 500 currently, mostly electric trikes and jeepneys. The statement was given at the 3rd Electric Vehicle Summit, recently held in Pasig.
Like most places, government is seen as the key to to boosting numbers of battery-driven vehicles. Instead of roadblocks – Manny Pangilinan, the chairman of the Manila Electric Company reportedly can’t drive his Tesla Model S on public roads because of registration issues -, the organisation is lobbying for legislation that would include such things as excise and import tax exemptions, as well as registration and parking perks.
Already, some government agencies are taking steps that could help move things in a positive direction. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is phasing out use of buses and mini-buses more than 13 years old and is considering doing the same with public utility jeepneys with more than 15 years of age. That would create a huge market for newer, cleaner vehicles to drive into.
Private industry is also poised to take advantage of the opportunity. Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. has just signed an agreement with Taiwanese firm TECO that could see a huge increase in local production of electric jeepneys, and have already teamed up for a bid to build as many as 100,000 e-trikes. While the one million mark by 2020 might seem ambitious, it certainly looks like the effort is there to make it happen.
