The Department of Energy (DOE), along with concerned government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Science & Technology (DOST), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), recently met with various electric vehicle (EV) representatives in an effort to create a long-term energy security strategy.
The consultation meeting primarily focused on fuel diversification which includes clean and sustainable energy technologies. Among the topics discussed were the inclusion of EVs and hybrid vehicles as alternatives to fuel-powered vehicles, and the building of infrastructures like battery charging and swapping stations to support the cause.
Moreover, the consultation meeting also was the venue for DOTr to highlight its Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program which includes replacing old jeepneys with new EJeepneys. As regard, representatives of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) were also invited into the meeting.
According to EVAP President Rommel Juan, this move will offer a big window of opportunity for EJeepneys to be showcased as better and cleaner means of public transport. He added the said consultation by DOE, other concerned government agencies, and the electric vehicle sector would “really speed up EV development in the country by aligning the much-needed infrastructure to support the growing EV industry.”
The above-mentioned topics and other concerns will be further discussed in the upcoming 1st ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Summit which EVAP is co-organizing with the Board of Investments, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. and Meralco on June 29 and 30, 2017 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
