Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he believed the transport sector’s shift to electric vehicles (EV) will gain momentum as the government works to increase the use of EVs.
The president said this Monday as he led the launching of China-based automobile group Dongfeng Motors in the country, which has a partnership with Filipino-owned Legado Motors Inc. to distribute hybrid and EVs.
\”Let me affirm once more this administration’s commitment to support Legado Motors Inc. and its key partners in this very important endeavor,\” Marcos said.
\”Let us harmonize all our efforts as I am confident that we will win the race for a more sustainable and energy-secure future,\” he added.
The Philippines is aiming to increase the share of EVs to 10% of the country’s total fleet by 2040 for all sectors, according to the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry.
But Marcos hopes to achieve a 50% share of EVs by 2040, which is the more ambitious target under a clean energy scenario as outlined in the government’s roadmap.
The chief executive noted there are only 8,800 EVs in the country as of 2020, while to date, there are nearly 400 electric public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying 29 routes across the archipelago.
He said the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program is part of the gradual shift to electric vehicles in the country’s public transport, citing the deployment of electric buses in Davao City and the testing of some cities and urban centers of the viability of EVs in their mass transit system.
On Oct. 12, the Department of Transportation, the United Nations Development Programme, and four local government units signed documents for the turnover of transport equipment, EVs and EV charging stations to implement the Low Carbon Urban Transport Project.
Marcos said the country needs to boost the share of electric automobiles in its total projected vehicle fleet to fulfill its pledge of a 75% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
\”It’s my firm belief that these endeavors will not only gain momentum but also wider adoption moving forward as our people realize the benefits of these vehicles in their communities,\” he said.
Marcos encouraged the private sector to participate in government efforts to make the Philippines a part of the global chain of EVs by investing in manufacturing facilities in the country.
He also called on the private sector to invest in manufacturing facilities in the country and help government make the country a part of the global supply chain of EVs.
