With the goal of helping transport operators increase earnings and enable commuters to benefit from lower fares through fuel cost savings.
Earlier in the week, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. visited the Balanga Green Mobility Hub in Bataan.
The facility has four EV charging stations capable of charging up to eight vehicles simultaneously at a rate of PHP 5 per kilowatt-hour. The hub is expected to serve up to 24 vehicles and 1,394 passengers daily.
Powering the charging hub is a 131-kilowatt-peak solar installation, battery storage, and four chargers capable that can serve up to eight vehicles simultaneously.
During his inspection, Marcos listed the plans of the government, which include supporting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) through the establishment of additional charging stations nationwide.
He said that that government is implementing similar projects in other local government units (LGUs) to expand EV adoption and promote more efficient and affordable public transportation.
“Ngayon, ito na nga ang ating ikakalat sa buong Pilipinas,” the President said. “Nauna lang ito pero napakaganda kasi malaki ang magiging kita – mas malaki ang magiging kita ng ating mga nagpapasada at pati na para sa ating mga commuters. Dahil siyempre ‘pag may savings, lalong-lalong na may savings sa fuel, ay nakakabawas din para sa pamasahe.”
The government disclosed that operating an electric tricycle costs only PHP 0.45 per kilometer, compared with PHP 3.72 for a gasoline-powered tricycle.
As for an electric bus, it costs PHP2.87 per kilometer to operate, compared with PHP26.29 for a diesel-powered bus.
“Ang mga kalkulasyon na ito, dahil ito solar. Alam naman natin ‘yung solar libre kaya malaki ang bawas. Pero tiningnan natin, kahit na ang kinukuha mo ng kuryente ng pang-charge ay hindi solar, nagbabayad ka talaga sa grid, sasaksak mo talaga sa Meralco, sasaksak mo talaga doon sa mga provider, magdodoble ito. Malayo pa rin,” President Marcos said.
This move is seen to lessen the Philippines’ dependency on imported oil, especially from sources like countries in West Asia—a vulnerability that was heavily highlighted at the height of the US-Iran War at the start of the year.
President Marcos also underscored the importance of public transport modernization in improving the livelihood of transport workers while making transportation services more sustainable and efficient.
EVIS PROGRAM
After placing the emphasis on speeding up the use of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the government’s clean energy program to help build a greener and more sustainable future during his fifth State of the Nation Address, last July 29, President Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) No. 121.
The said directive establishes the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) Program, which provides fiscal incentives for local manufacturers of hybrid and battery electric passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and their parts and components.
This program also aims to expand domestic EV production, create quality jobs, reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, and position the Philippines as a regional automotive manufacturing hub.
“The EVIS Program shall provide time-bound, targeted, performance-based, and transparent fiscal support to encourage strategic investments in domestic EV manufacturing,” the order read.
According to the EO, the qualified manufacturers may register up to two EV models and receive two types of incentives: the Fixed Investment Support (FIS) to help establish or expand manufacturing facilities, and Production Volume Incentives (PVI) to encourage local production.
The EVIS Program also has a maximum incentive ceiling of PHP60 billion, with up to PHP15 billion available for each enrolled EV model, subject to the annual budget process.
E-MOBILITY PUSH
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology, led by Secretary Renato Solidum, is pushing for e-mobility as a clean, efficient, and sustainable solution for the foreign fuel dependency of the Philippines.
Solidum said that the country is targeting to have at least 10 percent of the transport systems to be electric by 2040.
Also part of this initiative are the recently launched all-electric e-Tranvia in Intramuros, the MB Dalaray Electric Ferry in the Pasig River, e-boat in Manila, e-Jeepneys, hybrid electric train on the tracks of the Philippine National Railways, C-trike, and e-trike in various regions across the country.
These technologies were developed through various partnerships with local government units, DOST agencies, and higher education institutions such as Cagayan State University and University of the Philippines Diliman.
