EVAP sending delegation to look for partners in China

MANILA, Philippines - The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is sending a delegation to China this month to look for partners in line with its aim to integrate local firms in the global e-bike value chain.

According to the EVAP, it is sending an EV transport mission to China from Oct. 19 to 24, to look for potential partners.

During the trip, the group would visit manufacturing plants of EV-related parts and components, meet with municipal governments and bike and e-bike program operators as well as learn about China’s top three bike friendly cities Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing.

“On the business side, EVAP hopes to develop Philippine bikes and e-bikes by integrating local parts and accessories manufacturers, assemblers in the global value chain with cost-effective international manufacturers like China,” the group said.

This, as the Philippines has the potential to export bike, e-bike and other EV parts and components in the long term given its existing electronics and semiconductor supply chain.

EVAP president Rommel Juan said the group is set to sign a memorandum of agreement with the China Bicycle Association during the visit to undertake programs that would encourage utilization of bikes and e-bikes in the country.

As sharing schemes have worked in other parts of the world, the EVAP wants to undertake similar programs.

“We have talked to several cities and private community developers who have expressed interest in bike sharing programs and implementation of bike friendly initiatives in their areas,” EVAP executive director Leonido Pulido said.

The group is pushing for the use of EVs in the country noting that such are eco-friendly and provide efficient transport.

Under its roadmap, the EVAP is looking to grow the local production of EVs to an average of 11 to 13 percent per year to hit 69,145 units by 2017.

The group is also aiming for domestic EV sales to reach P4.44 billion by 2016 from P214.2 million this year.