Electric Vehicles (Philippines)
Philippine EV policy is governed by RA 11697 (Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, EVIDA), which lapsed into law on April 15, 2022 without presidential signature. EVIDA establishes the national framework for EV adoption, infrastructure deployment, manufacturing, and regulation. The primary implementing plan is the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) , published annually by DOE. [RA 11697, §1/§33, 2022]
As of 2022, cumulative EV registrations (2014–2022) stood at 9,666 vehicles out of 13.9 million total registered vehicles — an EV penetration rate of 0.07%. [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, Table 35, 2023]
EV Types Defined Under EVIDA
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) | Electrically propelled; only a traction battery as power source |
| Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) | Both rechargeable energy storage and fueled power source |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) | HEV that can be charged from an external source |
| Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) | EV weighing <50 kg (e-scooters, e-bikes, e-personal transport); exempt from DOTr registration when for private use |
[RA 11697, §4, 2022]
Key Mandates
Mandatory 5% EV Fleet Share (§16)
Three categories of entities must ensure at least 5% of their fleet (owned or leased) are EVs within the CREVI timeline:
- Industrial/commercial: Cargo logistics, food delivery, hotels, power and water utilities
- Public transport operators: Minibuses, buses, jeepneys, vans, tricycles, taxis, TNVS
- Government: LGUs, NGAs, GOCCs
Government fleet electrification is classified as a government energy efficiency project under RA 11285 (§16(c) statutory cross-link). [RA 11697, §16, 2022]
EV Parking and EVCS Requirements (§17–§19)
- New buildings with ≥20 parking slots must designate ≥5% as EV-dedicated; no building permit without compliance [RA 11697, §17, 2022]
- Gas stations (CREVI-identified) must provide space for commercial EVCS; no compliance permit without showing ample EVCS space [RA 11697, §19, 2022]
- DUs must include EVCS infrastructure plans in their annual Distribution Development Plans [RA 11697, §23, 2022]
Charging Fee Rules (§20)
- Own-use EVCS: Cannot impose charging fees
- Commercial-use EVCS: Must unbundle charging fees (energy vs. service components)
[RA 11697, §20, 2022]
Agency Roles
| Agency | Primary EVIDA Responsibility |
|---|---|
| DOE | Lead for EV adoption and EVCS; accredits EVCS providers; convenes EVIDA-TWG; publishes annual CREVI |
| DOTr | Lead for EV demand generation; EV registration/franchising; mandates green routes (exclusive electric PUV routes) |
| DTI | Lead for manufacturing; EVIS; BOI incentives; BPS safety standards |
| ERC | Regulates DU rates charged to EVCS; sets rules for V2G facilities — new authority beyond EPIRA |
[RA 11697, §§7–10, 2022]
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
EVIDA (§4) defines Centralized V2G Facilities — establishments that supply power to the grid using electric vehicles. ERC is empowered to promulgate rules for these facilities, creating a new regulatory pathway for EVs as distributed storage resources. [RA 11697, §4(c)/§8, 2022]
Fiscal Incentives (§24, effective 8 years from 2022)
| Track | Incentive |
|---|---|
| EV CBU imports | 100% excise tax exemption (BEV); 50% (HEV) under TRAIN Act |
| EVCS CBU imports | Duty-free for 8 years |
| EV utilization | 30% MVUC discount (BEV); 15% MVUC discount (HEV) |
| Manufacturing | BOI/SIPP/CREATE + EVIS incentives; 8-year local production targets |
[RA 11697, §24, 2022]
EVCS Regulatory Framework (May 2023)
Three implementing circulars were issued simultaneously on May 12, 2023 pursuant to the EVIDA-IRR:
DC2023-05-0010 : Unbundling of Charging Fees
EVCS Providers must unbundle fees into disclosed components using one or more of: fixed fees, variable/consumption fees (per kWh), time-based fees, service-based fees, cashless payment, or a mix. Submit Annex B unbundling structure to EUMB; adjustment requires advance notice. DUs operating as EVCS must comply with EPIRA §26 unbundling (ERC jurisdiction). Penalties: PhP50,000–PhP500,000 [DC2023-05-0010, §6–16, 2023-05-12].
DC2023-05-0011 : EVCS Provider Accreditation and EVCS Registration
Three EVCS Provider types: Operator (operates/collects fees), Service (construction/maintenance), Supplier (equipment sales). Accreditation validity: 3 years. Every CUCS location requires an EVCS Registration Certificate (PhP5,400 new / PhP2,900 renewal; valid 3 years; issued within 7 working days). GOCCs/LGUs/SUCs exempt from fees if government-operated. CUCS must eventually be powered by RE sources (DOE to issue implementation timeline). Repeals DC2017-11-0011 and DC2021-07-0023 [DC2023-05-0011, §4–28, 2023-05-12].
EVCS Mode classification:
| Mode | Connection | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Mode 1 | Standard AC socket | Slow (≤16A) |
| Mode 2 | Standard AC socket + in-cable protection | Slow (≤32A) |
| Mode 3 | Dedicated AC EVCS (Type 2 connector) | Medium |
| Mode 4 | DC EVCS outdoor (CCS Combo 2) | Fast |
| BSS | Battery swapping station | — |
Mode 3, 4, and BSS must connect to DOE centralized real-time data network [DC2023-05-0011, §18, 2023-05-12].
DC2023-05-0012 : EV Recognition Guidelines
Road transport vehicle manufacturers/importers/assemblers/rebuilders (MARs) must notify EUMB of all EVs sold in the Philippines. EUMB processes within 20 working days; recognized EVs listed on DOE website — the sole basis for EVIDA incentive eligibility. EV classification (BEV/HEV/PHEV/LEV) from §4 must be adopted by all NGAs and LGUs [DC2023-05-0012, §4–9, 2023-05-12].
Implementation Status (Late 2023)
EV Industry Portal (evindustry.ph) launched June 21, 2023 with USAID assistance. As of late 2023: 170 registered public EVCS, 40 accredited EVCS providers, 186 recognized EV models (133 BEV, 22 HEV, 10 PHEV, 21 LEV) [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. II, pp.68–70, 2023].
Scenarios
For EV fleet projections and investment scenarios to 2050, see Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) :
- REF (10% EV share by 2040): 4.8M EVs; PhP 7.97T investment; 117K jobs; 55.37 MtCO₂e GHG reduction
- CES (50% EV share by 2040): 20.3M EVs; PhP 13.1T investment; 432K jobs; 297.43 MtCO₂e GHG reduction