City Hall Electric Vehicle fleet transition delayed

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City’s Electric Vehicle (EV) program is facing delays after suppliers failed to deliver units that were expected this month, with Mayor Nestor Archival assuring residents that the vehicles will arrive before December.

“Sometimes promises are not being delivered… We have already asked, we have I think...We already ordered, I don’t know when… There were so many promises but I’m sure it will be delivered before December,” Archival said in his latest press conference, acknowledging the frustration while stressing that the city is pressing suppliers for fulfillment.

He did not elaborate on how many EVs were ordered, when they were ordered, or from which company.

Despite the delay, Archival continues to champion sustainable transport, recalling that he was the first to purchase an electric vehicle in the Visayas years ago when costs were prohibitive and public acceptance was low.

“In fact, I started buying the first electric vehicle diri sa Visayas aron maka test and that was very expensive before and the people don’t like that… pero karon nga nanaog na ang presyo sa electric vehicles and we have problem in fuel… daghan na kayo, maglisod na gani ang electric vehicles (company) sa ilang demands,” he said.

The city’s program is anchored on the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Republic Act 11697), which requires government fleets, including local government units, to convert a portion of their vehicles to electric.

The Department of Energy has issued the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry, setting national targets of 2.45 million EVs and more than 20,000 charging stations by 2040.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has reminded LGUs to plan EV routes and align transport programs with EVIDA, reinforcing compliance with the law rather than issuing a separate order.

Along with this, Archival said that Cebu City will install charging stations to support the incoming fleet and future expansion.

“We might not be able to hit the target, but we will continue to have that electric vehicle unya we will be putting EV charging stations para ang atong mga vehicle nga giorder, makakuha gyud ug electric power nga kinahanglan sa electric vehicles,” he said.

He also revealed that shortly after taking office, he wrote to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recommending that new taxi franchises prioritize electric vehicles.

“I wrote, two months after nisud ko pagka mayor… I was sending a letter to the LTFRB nga next time unta nga maghimo sila ug new franchises ug katong mga karaan nga taxis ni request ko nga ilang himuon nga electric vehicles na ilang tagaan… which I think, naminaw sila because I’ve received some information nga ang next franchises ilang gi-encourage nga electric vehicle na ang next franchises,” Archival said.

While acknowledging that Cebu may not immediately meet the mandated percentage of EVs in its fleet, Archival emphasized that the city will continue to expand its program.

This is part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on imported fuel, cut emissions, and modernize public transport. — (FREEMAN)