The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), together with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) is facilitating the 9th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) today and tomorrow (September 23 and 24, 2021). The two-day online event with the theme “Accelerating the Switch to Electro-Mobility in the Philippines” focuses on fast-tracking electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the local transport sector, which aligns with the national government’s goal to attain a low-carbon economy in the middle term.
During his opening remarks this morning, EVAP President Edmund Araga stated that while things have been seemingly silent in the EV industry during the pandemic, major strides have been happening on the background. “First, we are hopeful about the passing of Senate Bill No. 1382 or the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act last May and House Bill 4075, Congress’ version of the bill that has already passed second reading. Second, the DOE released the charging infrastructure guidelines and policies in July that covers the development, establishment, and operations of EV charging stations nationwide. Third, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) recently issued an administrative order that consolidates the guidelines on the classification, registration, and operations of types of EVs, which paves the way for further guidance for consumers’ purchase decisions and for local manufacturers to plan out strategies.”
The EVAP President shared other interesting developments, “The World Bank is currently supporting an EV Road Mapping program for the public transport sector in the country, in cooperation with the DOE, while the DOE just bided out a more comprehensive EV road mapping project and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working on the EV incentive strategy.” Araga and key officials from the government and private sectors will execute the symbolic signing of a stakeholder Memorandum of Understanding aimed at speeding up the switch to electro-mobility by 2025.
Today’s ongoing online conference will focus on dialogues about EV technologies and solutions. Keynote messages will be delivered by leaders from the public and private sectors involved in the country’s electro-mobility program, including Senate Committee on Energy Chairman Sherwin T. Gatchalian, House Committee on Energy Chairman Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo and DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi. Ken O’Flaherty, representing the United Kingdom, will host this year’s COP 26 and also participate in the online discussions.
Tomorrow, the online conference will focus on the EV value chain development and market opportunities. There will be sessions about manufacturing of EVs and batteries, establishment of charging networks and infrastructure across the country, and feasible business models for EV adoption. Discussions on the EV Industry Roadmap (2016-2024) as set by the DTI Board on Investments (DTI-BOI) will also be tackled during the conference to provide details of its developments and a platform for the various sectors to share their views on the matters.
The 9th PEVS is also being organized with major sponsor Nissan Philippines and in cooperation with other sponsors, including Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, Power Equipment and Supply, Inc. (PESIN), Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI), and Delta Electronics International (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Registration to the 9th PEVS is still ongoing through www.evap.com.ph.