The Department of Energy Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) has noted that the demand for electric vehicles in Mindanao is increasing. The DOE-MFO forecasts that demand will peak upon the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), and the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI).
To support the ownership of electric vehicles or EV, the government is working on establishing charging stations in the island. Currently, EV charging stations are located in two malls, the DOE-MFO office in Davao City, and in EV car dealerships.
Engr. Adrian Mel Delola, a Science Research Specialist at DOE-Mindanao, said that at present, EVs are mostly found in key cities in the region. “Hopefully,” according to Engr. Delola, “with the roadmap to be released by the Department, we may increase the demand for EVs.”
Most of the EVs in Mindanao are hybrid, meaning they run on fuel and electricity, and these are mostly shipped from Metro Manila. The EVIDA law gives incentives for the manufacture and importation of EVs so it is hoped that the law will attract more EV dealers to Mindanao.
On record, The Philippines has a total of 8,105 electric motorcycles or tricycles, 347 electric cars, 44 electric buses, and 1,168 electric SUVs. As an incentive, EV owners are given priority registration and renewal of registration, issuance of a special type of vehicle plate by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Engr. Delola appeals to the public to be open to switching to EVs: “Para pod ni sa atoa tanan para pod ni to shift to a more modern mode of transportation. Para naa pod tay alternative source of energy, especially sa atoang transport (This is for all of us anyways, for us to shift to a more modern mode of transportation. So we have an alternative source of energy, especially for our transport).”
Electric vehicles are good for the environment. They also have low running and maintenance costs.