As transportation is an essential daily utility, people will always find a way to get to where they need to be with or without a responsive regulatory environment
Strong pronouncements have been made on the Marcos Jr. administration’s agenda to pursue a green and blue economy and establishing livable and sustainable communities with mandates based on existing laws and new policies to protect the environment, managing risk, and building resilience from the catastrophic effects of climate change.
According to the fact sheet on climate change released during the 2021 United Nations Sustainable Transport Conference, “the transport sector is responsible for approximately one quarter of (global) greenhouse gas emissions” with 95 per cent of the world’s transport energy from fossil fuels.
Hence, there has been a clear trend to shift away from petroleum guzzling vehicles to electric powered transportation modes with Tesla and the biggest brands in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry racing to develop zero emission transports as the world shifts to a green and sustainable economic order.
Establishing the policy framework to transition from a fossil fueled transportation to a zero-carbon emission ecosystem is crucial in managing the systemic infrastructure and socioeconomic disruption that will affect the transportation sector and for that matter, the whole population.
Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) enacted in 2022 aims to create an environment that promotes the development of e-vehicles industry.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has been tasked to craft the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) that would set the guidelines for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage investors, importers, to develop the industry and for users to shift to e-vehicles.
An important factor in developing this EV roadmap is the current volume and type of vehicles on the road.
Land Transportation (LTO) data revealed during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing there were over 7.3 million registered motorcycles.
Just observing the daily traffic will give you a good sense of what the masses have chosen to invest their limited resources in motorcycles as the preferred mode of transport for daily commuting.
This is also the same sector that’s driving a surging demand for electric bikes (e-bikes) as a more affordable and eco-friendly means of transport.
CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor and former congressman Atty. Kit Belmonte had a published statement which sees people going for e-bikes because of the “inadequate mass transportation system, the high cost of fuel, and the desire of an increasing number of Filipinos to do more for the environment are making them look at other options to get themselves from Point A to Point B.”
A quick search on the internet will show you a thriving e-bike market offering a wide selection of models and price points that would match the paying capacity and purpose of prospective buyers.
For now, e-bikes are imported, but not for long.
During President Marcos Jr’s US visit, he was witness to the signing of the memorandum of agreement between Ayala’s Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) and Zero Motorcycles to build the country’s first factory to produce electronic motorcycles by next year.
This will create employment for 200 workers and is targeted to produce 18,000 electric motorcycles annually starting 2024.
The investors said the Philippines is the “clear choice” as the next manufacturing hub for its global expansion.
According to LTO Administrative Order 2021-039, e-bikes that fall under Category L1a (maximum speed of 25 kph) and L1b (maximum of up 50 kph) do not require registration or a driver’s license for the users.
These are only allowed on local roads but may cross national roads.
Helmets are of course required.
However, as expected with policies that regulate new innovations that disrupt the status quo, there are some regulatory disconnects that need to be rectified.
One of the issues raised by Atty Belmonte is that some e-bike sellers are able to “unlock” the speed limiters of the units which allows drivers to push speeds to even over 50 kph.
“This is a serious safety issue and must be addressed urgently” and “faster vehicles need to be registered and their drivers need to secure licenses,” Atty. Belmonte said.
He also points out an LGU has banned e-bicycles from Boni-Avenue in Mandaluyong City which is a main thoroughfare that links Mandaluyong proper and Pasig City.
Being familiar with the area, this ban would force e-bike riders to go on a circuitous route to be able to cross EDSA instead of going through the Boni underpass to Pioneer Ave to Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
As transportation is an essential daily utility, people will always find a way to get to where they need to be with or without a responsive regulatory environment.
Before we find ourselves in an even bigger transportation mess, it would be best for our government policy makers, regulators, the e-bike stakeholders, the LGUs, and especially consumer groups, to convene soon and polish up these policies.
Ride safe!
