Meralco unit to promote EVs

MANILA, Philippines –  Meralco Energy Inc. (MEI) is keen on taking an active role in promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines, a top company official said.

MEI managing director Victor Baylosis said they are ready to work closely with other EV proponents to provide technical support, particularly in charging stations and advice on specifications suited for the country’s roads and climate conditions.

Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) president Raffy Villarreal noted the potential growth in the use of this type of vehicle in the near future.

He said international carmakers foresee that EVs and other “green” cars would account for around five percent of the world car market in five years.

“We need to look back and see how far we have gone, what the challenges are at the moment and what needs to be done to take the domestic EV industry to the next level,” he said.

Ferdinand Raquelsantos, president of PhUV Inc., the business arm of MVPMAP and the local assembler of e-jeepneys, said they are working to formulate a five-year roadmap for the EV industry.

“We have to be ready with the solutions to overcome the current technical hurdles and with the needed infrastructure to enable us to grow the domestic EV market,” he said.

“International carmakers also predict the EV industry sales to grow by about one percent per year. Thus by 2020, it is expected to account for about 10 percent of new car sales in the world market. The Philippines must be able to partake of a slice of this huge pie,” Raquelsantos said.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, meanwhile, said the Department of Energy (DOE) supports efforts in developing EV’s as this is consistent with government’s thrust to promote the use of cleaner fuels.

“Yes, we will give them tax perks and also may be exempted from number coding. We will think of ways how to incentivize the industry,” Almendras said.

Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson, on the other hand, said the utilization of EV’s may also be an answer to oil price volatility.

“The tax breaks will definitely incentivize investors and users of e-cars. This is, however, still subject to review and approval of appropriate agencies in government,” Ayson said.

According to the energy chief, the DOE has started the EV program with the launch of e-tricycles powered with lithium batteries in Mandaluyong City.