LTO suspends e-bike registration

MANILA, Philippines — Registration of electric tricycles and e-bikes has been suspended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), allowing unlicensed electric vehicles to traverse major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

Administrative Order (AO) 2021-039 has been suspended by the LTO following a directive from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II.

Under the AO, unregistered electric vehicles traversing public highways will be impounded.

The suspension will affect the authority of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units to issue regulations on e-vehicles. It will also cover the mandatory use of helmets approved by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mendoza said they were directed to ensure that the AO is aligned with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.

Light electric vehicles were banned from passing through major roads on April 15.

On April 18, President Marcos ordered the MMDA and LGUs to give users of e-vehicles more time before penalizing them.

In August, Mendoza said there would be no crackdown yet on light electric vehicles as the LTO continues its information dissemination on the registration of LEVs.