Mandatory registration of e-bikes eyed

MANILA, Philippines — Only electric scooters and e-bicycles, regardless of vehicle capacity, which are registered with the Land Transportation Office will be allowed to use public roads under a proposal of the LTO.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said the proposal for the mandatory registration of these electric vehicles (EVs) would be submitted to the Department of Transportation.

Under LTO Administrative Order 2021-035, EVs with a maximum speed of less than 25 kilometers are not required to register with the LTO.

“There should be no speed limitation. For as long as these vehicles are used in public roads, they should be registered,” Mendoza told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday.

“We understand the side of the manufacturers and importers and the public, but the law is the law,” he added.

Mendoza said registration of e-vehicles would help motorists with road safety, especially if the vehicle is involved in accidents.

He said unregistered e-bikes can only be used within private roads or subdivisions.

Motorists driving unregistered vehicles or with expired vehicle registration face a fine of P10,000.

Mendoza said minors should not be allowed to drive EVs.

Unregistered vehicles

Meanwhile, the LTO said 12.9 million motorcycles in the country remain unregistered.

At a public hearing of the Senate justice committee chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino on proposed amendments to Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, the LTO said two million cars and trucks are also unregistered.

Mendoza said many delinquent motorcycle owners either forget to renew their registration or fail to transfer ownership after purchasing the vehicle.

Citing LTO data, Mendoza said only 13.9 million of the 38 million four-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles on the road were registered as of 2003.

Sen. J.V. Ejercito, author of the bill proposing amendments to RA 11235, said the fines for non-registration of motorcycles should be lowered.

He said the penalty of imprisonment for violating RA 11235 is ”too harsh and discriminatory” to motorcycle owners. — Cecille Suerte Felipe