Amid continued calls for eco-friendly energy solutions, the Department of Energy (DOE) has drafted a circular for the development and operation of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) across the country.
“Private and public buildings and establishments including retail outlets may designate dedicated parking slots that will be installed with EVCS for the use and charging of electric vehicles (EVs),” part of the draft resolution read.
The draft document further noted that private charging stations will be installed in private buildings and establishments which can be used by the public for a fee, while public charging stations will be installed in public buildings and establishments including gasoline stations.
The DOE added in the draft policy that interested investors will have four classification options for charging stations which are categorized as EVCS modes 1, 2, 3, and 4 that shall be in compliance with the guidelines set by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards.
Investors who may want to establish and operate EVCS facilities will also have to file registration requirements with the DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), which is in charge of the plans and programs related to EV technology development and utilization.
The department also set safety requirements to provide protection against “electric shock of personnel and classification according to the charging modes and functions for energy transfer to EVs” in accordance with the Philippine National Standard.
The DOE will be consulting concerned stakeholders on the draft issuance from this March until April.
Relative to the department’s draft circular, Senate energy committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian filed the Electric Vehicles and Charging Station bill a year ago. The bill aims to reduce oil consumption in the country by 146.56 million barrels of oil per year if implemented properly.