Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) – The government has sealed a deal with Shell companies to conduct a pilot study on electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, as it aims to boost the penetration rate of EVs in the Philippine market.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Energy (DOE) said it inked a tripartite agreement with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Shell Energy Philippines (SEPH) for the project.
Based on the agreement, the EV charging network would be powered by renewable energy (RE), such as solar.
The deal also includes the supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of the charging stations, and the monitoring and verification of energy sufficiency, performance, and savings through RE.
The DOE intends to use the project’s outputs to craft programs, policies, and regulations for the adoption of EV charging stations equipped with RE.
“These alternative opportunities could also position Shell at the forefront of their quest for sustainable and inclusive growth by adding a more compelling long-term vision for clean technologies and renewable energy investment into their portfolio,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
The government hopes to record a 10% increase in the number of electric vehicles by 2040.
The Board of Investments said last month that the government would remove tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) beginning next year to spur demand.
READ: BOI: Zero tariffs for e-vehicles to take effect next year
The EVs covered include passenger cars, buses, mini-buses, vans, trucks, motorcycles, tricycles, scooters, and bicycles.
According to the DOE, the country has around 9,000 registered EVs as of end-2021, of which 378 are public utility vehicles.
A total of 327 charging stations, meanwhile, have been set up across the country.
