The Department of Energy (DOE) and Petron Corporation have teamed up with the automotive industry to showcase energy-efficient driving through the 2025 DOE-Petron Fuel Economy Run, held along the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

The event, launched on September 24, gathered around 70 vehicles covering a 156-kilometer route designed to replicate real-world expressway conditions. Participants included internal combustion engine (ICE) units, hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin emphasized that the run was not a competition but a demonstration of efficiency. 

“This isn’t a race. It’s a demonstration of how different vehicle technologies perform under actual driving conditions. Our focus is on providing credible fuel economy data, not on who finishes first. By testing vehicles under real-world driving conditions, we are guiding Filipino consumers that energy efficiency is both practical and attainable,” Garin said.

The transport sector consumes about 34% of the country’s total energy use, making efficiency gains critical to energy security and emissions reduction. DOE said results of the run will provide benchmarks for government agencies and local government units, particularly for fleet procurement under the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).

To ensure fairness, participating ICE and hybrid vehicles used Petron XCS premium gasoline and Petron Turbo Diesel, while BEVs and PHEVs were supported by Petron charging stations and AC Mobility’s mobile chargers. Results will be published on the DOE website to guide both consumers and automakers.

The initiative aligns with the Philippine Energy Plan, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (RA 11285), and the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (RA 11697). DOE also noted the event reflects a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving Petron Corporation, SMC Infrastructure, AC Mobility, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP).

“This is a true demonstration of the Bagong Pilipinas spirit where government, industry, and consumers unite to achieve energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency for the benefit of all Filipinos,” Garin added.

What impact do you think real-world fuel economy benchmarks like this can have on consumer choices and fleet procurement in the Philippines?

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