DOE: Gas stations can host charging areas for e-vehicles

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Energy (DOE) is looking into the possibility of putting up charging stations for electric vehicles in gas stations to support the growing e-vehicle industry.

In a statement, DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said they have created an ad hoc technical working group to determine the suitability of gasoline stations as charging areas for e-vehicles.

The agency is now in the process of updating the policy standards for existing gasoline stations to accommodate charging stations.

“In preparation for the booming electric vehicle industry, I instructed the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau and Energy Utilization Management Bureau to issue the necessary policies that will support the development of infrastructures complementing the e-vehicle industry, such as the availability of charging in gasoline stations,” he said.

The lack of charging stations in localities has been one the main issues e-vehicle players have raised in pushing for developments in the industry.

This resulted in the cancellation of the $504-million e-vehicles program of the DOE and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). So far, 3,000 e-trikes have been rolled out aimed to jumpstart the shift to e-vehicles to reduce the country’s fuel imports and lessen annual carbon dioxide emissions.

Apart from including e-vehicle charging areas, the DOE also wants to update standards for gas stations to include other amenities such as the parking area, comfort rooms, CCTVs and even convenience stores, among others.

“Apart from readying electric vehicle infrastructures, we also want to strengthen our gasoline stations’ consumer welfare and satisfaction through well-maintained and functional amenities within its premises,” Cusi said.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, the DOE is empowered to subject all industry participants to provide suitability of facilities for their proposed operation in accordance with existing national and accepted international standards.

Based on existing policies, this provision in the Oil Deregulation Law was reflected in the DOE’s Retail Rules on Liquid Petroleum Products (Department Circular DC2003-11-010), wherein the Philippine National Standards on Petroleum Products, Retail Outlets and Health, Safety and Environment specifies that the building/structures (i.e., gasoline stations) shall have a sales office, toilet facilities and an electrical/mechanical room.