An international think tank and a consumer advocacy group commended the recent approval of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to finally include two and three-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs) in government tax incentives under Executive Order 12.
“We welcome the inclusion of e-motorcycles in the list of electric vehicles given temporary import tax breaks to accelerate the shift to green transportation,” according to Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase Institute.
Manhit added: “It is a responsive policy that will make electric-powered vehicles more accessible to the vast majority of the riding public who need to make daily commutes to work or mobility for their livelihood activities.”
The EO issued on Jan. 13, 2023, is said to support the transition to emerging green technologies, and encourage more consumer adoption of electric vehicles as an environment-friendly transportation option.
According to Manhit, a greater number of Filipinos have been using motorcycles to navigate the roads given the sorry state of public transportation and the worsening traffic situation.
As of 2022, motorcycles remain the most popular vehicle type in the Philippines, with 7.81 million registered vehicles according to a Statista study.
“Now that the policy gap of EO 12 has been resolved, the extensive use of EVs will be a major factor in reducing carbon emissions and pollutants that pose serious health risks and aggravates global warming,” Manhit said.