DOE, Shell partner to support EV industry

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has reached an agreement with oil giant Shell for a pilot project that will help support the growth of the electric vehicle industry in the country.

A tripartite memorandum of agreement was inked by the DOE, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC), and Shell Energy Philippines Inc. (SEPH) with the primary objective of conducting a pilot study of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCs) supplied by renewable energy, such as solar.

Key components of the project include supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of EVCs, monitoring and verification of energy efficiency, performance, and savings through the utilization of renewable energy, as well as optimization of the use of cleaner energy.

The parties expect the development of more EVCs in the near future with the collaboration.

“I commend PSPC and SEPH for collaborating with the DOE for this laudable undertaking – a sound testament of their resoluteness in maximizing value creation while contributing to global climate change mitigation,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

According to the DOE, data generated from the pilot project will be used as a reference for the agency to further develop programs, policies, and regulations for the sustainable and safe adoption and operation of EVCs involving the use of renewable energy.

On their end, PSPC and SEPH will utilize data generated from the project to serve as a benchmark for the development and roll out the EVC network in its existing and future Shell-branded mobility sites.

“These alternative opportunities could also position Shell at the forefront of their quest for sustainable and inclusive growth by adding a more compelling long-term vision for clean technologies and renewable energy investment into their portfolio,” Lotilla said.

The DOE said the agreement is consistent with the goals and targets of the Philippine Energy Plan 2020-2040 for the transition towards clean energy fuels and technologies.

It will also provide the support infrastructure for the target 10 percent penetration rate of electric vehicles for road transport by 2040, the agency said.

With an enabling environment for the adoption of electric vehicles and its support charging station infrastructures and support innovation of clean, sustainable, and energy-efficient technologies, the DOE said the pilot project with Shell would reinforce the government’s implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act and its implementing rules and regulations signed and adopted last year.

The DOE is eyeing to release by the end of the first quarter the national plan for the electric industry through the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) after a series of nationwide public consultations.

The CREVI includes the plan to ensure compliance with the mandated electric vehicle share of at least five percent of the government’s vehicle fleet.

The formulation of policies, common standards, and specifications will be set forth in the CREVI.

There were around 9,000 registered electric vehicles as of end 2021, of which 278 were public utility vehicles. There are also 327 charging stations deployed nationwide.