Under the Electric Vehicle Incentives Scheme (EVIS), the Philippines is eyeing e-PUVs and two-wheelers as its niche in Southeast Asia, in which the country could be a competitive exporter in the region.
The eco-run will gather registered participants — EV owners in Metro Manila and nearby areas — for a driving tour that is aimed at demonstrating support to a proposed legislation promoting the use of EVs in the country.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the local EV industry with the number of registered EVs in the country dropping by 35% to 1,015 units in 2020 from 1,570 units in 2019.
Nissan Philippines made the announcement as the three-day Philippine Electric Vehicle Virtual Summit (PEVVS) organized by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) gets underway.
DOTr assistant secretary for legal affairs Mark Steven Pastor said the memorandum circular will cover all types of electric vehicles and will not exclude light electric vehicles or low-speed vehicles.
Policies requiring government offices to buy electric vehicles are being eyed to jumpstart the local e-vehicle (EV) industry, according to DTI undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba.