President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Energy (DOE) and all other concerned agencies to expedite the implementation of action plans and strategies to develop the electric vehicle (EV) industry in the Philippines particularly on the public transportation sector.

The Philippines is still far from its target of 2.45 million EVs and around 65,000 EV charging stations (EVCS) by 2028.

During the sectoral meeting on the updates on EV industry development on Tuesday, President Marcos said the DOE and other agencies should focus on finding ways to lower the cost of production, financing and charging infrastructure to ensure a seamless EV industry.

“It’s the cost of production. Let’s focus on that for now – cost of production and financing. I think, that’s it. Cost of production and financing and the charging infrastructure,” President Marcos told the DOE.

President Marcos said the government is studying the process of transitioning to EV which will be made in compliance with the EV Industry Development Act (EVIDA) to accelerate the development and utilization of EVs towards improving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the Comprehensive Roadmap for the EV Industry (CREVI), the strategies and action plans to achieve the target include the demand generation, policy development, manufacturing development, human resource development, and research and development.

In a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella told reporters they are now working to become more strategic and responsive to ensure the success of the government’s shift towards EV.  PND