The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines has gone through a lot during its six year of existence but it has also achieved a lot.
EVAP president Rommel Juan says that through the years, the group through its annual EV Summit has attracted foreign investors into the Philippines from the US, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. “In the recently-concluded EV Summit, new members from Canada, Australia and Kuwait displayed versions of their electric vehicles”.
“In some cases, these foreign investors have tied up with local EV players through either technical licensing agreements or joint ventures. It has been a slow burn but through the efforts of our association, its members and the government, this has enabled us to successfully roll out various EV projects around the country”.
EJeepneys have been fielded in various areas like Makati, Filinvest City in Alabang, Bonifacio Global City, Las Pinas, Iloilo, Bacolod, Muntinlupa and even in university campuses like La Salle and Ateneo.
Etrikes have been prospering in Boracay, Manila, Naga, Coron and Mandaluying where a single largest deployment of 100 units in a single community was done.
“Indeed slowly but surely, the EV advocacy is growing in the Philippines”, Juan adds. “And people are doing it not just for the environment but also for economic viability. EV operators and drivers in the public transport sector have reported a growth in income when they went electric. Commuters prefer the quiet, smoke free, comfortable ride that they enjoy with EVs. As a result, drivers post higher rider numbers and more income”.
Juan concludes that through the years, EVAP has promoted the use of EVs around the country through its members. “We are happy that many local government units have adopted the EV transport systems. We hope that with the proof of concept already evident, even more LGUs will follow suit as we now offer not just EVs but a complete mass transport solution package.
