E-vehicle makers ready tie-ups with foreign players

MANILA, Philippines - The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) expects partnerships between foreign and local EV players to be forged during the upcoming EV Summit as the country makes a pitch to become an EV manufacturing hub in the region.

According to EVAP president Rommel Juan, the group is organizing the 4th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Clean Air Initiative Asia, as it seeks to sustain the gains achieved by the local EV industry. 

Juan said the event, to be held on Feb. 26 to 27 at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall in Pasig City, is expected to allow business professionals and industry players to learn about the latest development in EV technology, as well as meet with colleagues from here and abroad to exchange ideas regarding EV technology and sustainable mobility. 

“We also expect some business partnerships to be forged between foreign and local EV players during this event,” he said. 

Japanese firms such as Bemac Philippines, Prozza Hirose and Terra Motors have set up operations in the country and are already offering their various electric tricycles and electric motorbikes in the market.

Many institutions are also using EVs, particularly e-jeepneys for mass transport such as the Eco Loop in Filinvest Alabang, the De La Salle University e-jeepney Ikot at the Dasmarinas campus, and the Ateneo De Manila University e-jeepney system.

Juan is hopeful the country could attract more investments into the local EV industry in line with the aim of making the country the EV manufacturing hub in the region. 

“Some foreign EV investors are on the lookout for local partners, especially in the manufacturing and assembly sectors and we just need to show them that we can do it,” he said. 

To make the country the EV manufacturing hub in the region, the EVAP said earlier that fiscal and non-fiscal incentives are needed.

As such, the EVAP is pushing for the passage of the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives Bills pending in the House of Representatives and Senate. 

The proposed measures seeks to provide fiscal incentives such as exemption from payment of value-added tax, excise tax, as well as import duties for EV players.

The proposed measures would also provide non-fiscal incentives such as exemption from the Motor Vehicle Users Charge for registration with the Land Transportation Office; priority registration in the issuance of plate numbers and renewal of registration; priority franchise application for public transport operators; exemption from the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program or the number coding traffic scheme of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; and free and dedicated parking slots for EVs in new commercial establishments.