Electric vehicles, as a cleaner alternative, are an important step toward more sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) are notable for their fuel efficiency and can be a cost-effective way to reduce operating expenses.
Rising fuel prices and a push for greener initiatives have prompted many businesses to invest in electric vehicles (EVs) for their fleets. EVs, which are notable for their fuel efficiency, can be a cost-effective way to cut operating expenses. In addition to lower fuel costs, EVs are a greener alternative to gas or diesel vehicles. They can reduce a fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating exhaust. This benefit assists businesses in remaining sustainable and in compliance with government regulations.
The Philippine electric vehicle (e-vehicle) industry aspires to create a country in which the use of electric vehicles is strongly promoted, encouraged, and supported by the government and society in building a transportation landscape that is ecologically and economically sustainable. They are the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation because their entire life cycle is far more sustainable. Driving compensates for their higher manufacturing emissions as they use electricity as fuel.
The nation continues to develop its electric vehicle market as industry and government are cooperating to support electric vehicle adoption in the Philippines. From an energy sector perspective, proposed legislation seeks to build an entire ecosystem supportive of EV’s by requiring the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) to create an Electric Vehicle Roadmap that will form part of the Philippine Energy Plan. It will include a charging infrastructure and fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
Recently, the Philippines has adopted a low carbon, energy-efficient electric or E-vehicle technology in “low carbon cities” under a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-7 project to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce air pollution.
Because mobile transportation contributes significantly to GHG emissions and air pollution, the government is pursuing the “Accelerating Adoption and Scale-up of Electric Mobility for Low-Carbon City Development” initiative. It is funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a $4.28 million grant with a counterpart from the Philippine government of $46.725 million.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR, as GEF’s Operational Focal Point (OFP), is optimistic about the new project’s success, given collaborations on the development of a viable business model for EVs.
“It is a welcome development that we are one of 17 developing countries to deploy E vehicles at scale in support of air improved quality and reduced fossil fuel dependency,” said DENR’s undersecretary during an inception workshop.
She mentioned that it was crucial to establish green transportation technology that benefits the majority of people (like E jeepneys, E buses). The Department of Energy (DOE) is being considered to lead the project’s implementation, with assistance from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Both regulations and incentives will be established for the envisioned E Vehicle industry to become a reality.
The upcoming e-mobility project is expected to identify pilot cities to demonstrate the viability of the E vehicle industry. This so-called GEF child project is part of the United Nations Global E-Mobility Programme, which includes Pasig City as one of the demonstration sites. The four-year project will collect data and statistics on commuter profiles, traffic jams, workers, previous deployment of 3-wheelers, and renewable energy generation in selecting pilot cities. Cities have also adopted the incorporation of renewable energy and energy storage (batteries) into local planning.
The project’s first phase will establish policies and an institutional framework for integrating E-mobility programme planning at the local level. It will also set up an accounting system for GHG emissions in the transportation sector and will come up with a master plan on EV (electric vehicle) charging (of batteries) infrastructure.