It has been more than a year since the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) lapsed into law, and we are seeing the bill’s proposed changes sprout up after its implementing rules and regulations took effect in 2022.

For one, we finally got the incentives that have helped bring electric vehicle prices down (even by a little bit), alongside some perks that are helping customers, automakers, and suppliers more (like zero import tariffs and exemption from number-coding).

Then, we have all the infrastructure being added, with malls, private companies, and automakers introducing more chargers for the public to use.

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines recently held a press conference where it discussed several facts and figures ever since the EVIDA’s implementing rules and regulations took effect.

For the first quarter of 2023, 2,536 EVs were sold, surpassing 2022’s 12-month tally of 1,013. For context, 2021 only saw 843 units moved, with 2020 totaling a measly 378.

This is partially due to the increased number of models available to the market, ranging from the budget-friendly Jetour Ice Cream and the sleek Lexus RZ, all the way to the stately BMW i7.

Eventually, the Department of Energy will also implement the Vehicle Fuel Economy Labeling Program and the Fuel Economy Performance Rating for other electrified vehicles to show the benefits that they offer while clearing up any misconceptions they have around them, such as the eligibility of incentives and the benefits that EVs and HEVs enjoy currently.

In fact, the DOE has released an official list of recognized vehicles that is constantly being updated.

As for charging stations, 258 of them are AC chargers, with 59 DC fast chargers and 21 battery-swapping stations. Most of these are concentrated around the island of Luzon, but that number is steadily growing. Ideally, the EVAP targets at least 10,000 units (1,000 DC and 9,000 AC) to be installed by 2025.

At the moment, the DOE is working on setting up renewable energy sources to be used in providing for the growing number of charging stations across the country.

The Department of Trade and Industry is further refining its Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy, and the Department of Transportation is focused on electrifying the public-utility vehicles, all while trying to balance out the issues that the current PUJ modernization program is facing.

Currently, there are only 152 electric-powered modernized PUJs plying the streets amid the 43,335 traditional PUJs and 2,956 ICE-powered modernized PUJs. Finally, agencies and private companies are now using more and more EVs in their fleets to help lower their carbon emissions.

All of this will culminate at this year’s 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, taking place on October 19-21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. It will be organized and hosted by EVAP and Meralco, and produced in partnership with the DOE and Nissan Philippines.

There, you can expect to see EVs currently available on the market, such as those from Nissan, Kia, and the AC Motors-acquired BYD, which is also set to introduce the Atto 3 to the public for the first time.

Finally, the Philippine Battery Consortium will be launched during the event, which aims to address concerns and issues about battery supply and costs. The first two days of the expo will be a two-day conference, with the third day being a public day for guests.