The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is leading the local electric vehicle sector in further pushing for implementation of the provisions of the Electric Vehicle industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 11697), over a year after the enactment of the legislation.

This is the primary focus of the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) 2023, the 11^th and biggest edition of the pioneering event that promotes wider EV adoption in the country. The three-day exhibition and conference (October 10 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City) is showcasing the newest technologies, innovations, and product releases of the major EV sector players in the country and the region.

Under the EVIDA Law, corporate firms and government agencies are mandated to have EVs comprise at least 5% of their fleet. EV users are also entitled to dedicated parking slots in public and private buildings and establishments, where EV charging stations should also be installed for more convenient charging of vehicles. Other incentives are also set, including exemption of EVs from traffic coding schemes, priority registration of EVs, and speedier processing of franchise to operate applications for public transportation fleets.

“Our partner, the Department of Energy, is actively pushing for a faster rollout of EV use nationwide under its Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry or CREVI, which is serving as our ‘north star’ for wider and more concise implementation of the EVIDA Law,” said EVAP President Edmund Araga.

Based on data from EVAP, there are about 15,300 EV units being used in the country, as of October 2022. Of those, 354 are electric motorcycles and 88 are electric buses. As of November 2022, there are 900 EV charging units in various stations nationwide. The group is projecting EV stock to reach more than 6.6 million units by the year 2030.

For its part, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working on a national Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) that will further encourage local businesses to switch to EVs. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is keeping the focus on modernization of public utility vehicles, with EVs as the preferred transport units. Other government agencies are also working on their part in EV adoption.

“Another highlight of this year’s EV summit is the launch of UNIDO Project, aimed at accelerating the adoption and scale-up of electric mobility for low-carbon city development during PEVS 2023,” Araga announced.

Araga assured that PEVS 2023 will not just be the biggest but the most productive and engaging in the summit’s history so far. “Expect a number of new vehicle launches from our partners. We have engaging panel discussions, plus the numerous exhibits and displays of the latest EVs and related technologies.”

The 11^th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit is organized and hosted by EVAP with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and in partnership with the DOE and Nissan Philippines, Inc. Drop by SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from October 19 to 21, 2023. For more information, visit www.evap.com.ph and www.evap.com.ph/summit.