2019 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit: Onward to Modern and Sustainable Transportation

With the theme “Electric Vehicles: Modernizing the Transportation Landscape, Driving Sustainable Growth”, the 7th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (EV Summit), which was held from July 17 to 18, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, tackled key issues and several important aspects about the future of electric vehicles in the country.

“We are highly encouraged by the support we are getting from the major automotive manufacturers, which is a very strong indication that our transportation sector is slowly but steadily transitioning to more modern, energy efficient, greener and sustainable mobility so that we can create cleaner and better cities for our children”, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) President Edmund A. Araga said.

“Accelerating our country’s transition to fossil-fuel-free driving would require, more than ever, the help of our academic institutions in terms of research, innovation, industry links, and training among others. That’s why this year, we are launching the EVAP Academe Chapter to help close the knowledge gap that is holding back our countrymen from choosing electric vehicles and to help our local EV industry address the barriers to widespread EV adoption”, Araga announced.

For this year’s EV Summit, the EVAP President mentioned that its E-Mobility Award is being relaunched to recognize organizations and individuals for their outstanding contribution to the realization of EVAP’s Vision and Mission through successful EV deployments, advocacy efforts, or through innovations that aim to simplify and increase the electrification process. Last year, the 6th Philppine EV Summit gathered over 1,000 participants from industry key players across the value chain as well as policy makers, regulators, academe, transport companies, utilities and end users. Foreign delegates from over a dozen countries have seen their network grow by participating in this event.

The 7th Philippine EV Summit highlighted the current efforts on establishing a national regulatory framework for the use of electric vehicles and the establishment of charging stations. Nissan Motor Corporation Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporations presented their respective E-Mobility Solutions with the fully-electric Nissan Leaf, which is slated to be introduced in the Philippines in 2020, and the Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle (MIEV) and Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).

Plenary sessions on developing the Philippine EV industry were held during the summit, with several delegates brainstorming to address the EV infrastructure challenge in the country. Foreign delegates and local experts shared their learning and experiences from abroad on how to build a robust EV ecosystem for the Philippines while some companies presented the successful EV deployments, especially in the mass transport sector.

Occupying Hall 1 of the SMX, the two-day summit included an exhibition of electric vehicles while showcasing the latest trends in e-mobility solutions. Attendees, participants and delegates were also provided with test drive sessions to gain a hands-on experience of driving an EV. And to show their commitment to the future of EVs in the country, EVAP launched the EVAP Academe Chapter during the event.

We at Power Wheels Magazine would like to enjoin everyone, especially you, our dear readers, as the current custodians of our world, to take another look at electric vehicles and their contribution to the protection and preservation of the environment. Let us work together for the benefit of our children and the future generation.