The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) lauded the bill creating a national energy policy and regulatory framework on the development and use of electric and hybrid vehicles, and electric charging stations.
The bill is connected with the department’s goal, which is to attain sustainable energy usage through the usage of advanced technologies.
“Which is the promotion of energy sector innovation towards the attainment of sustainable energy consumption through the issuance of supporting policies to encourage the utilization of emerging and advanced technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs),’’ Cesar G. Dela Fuente III, Director, Officer-in-Charge (OIC)- Energy Utilization Management Bureau was quoted in a Manila Bulletin report.
LTO Chief Edgard C. Galvante submitted the energy department’s approval to Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who is the author of Senate Bill No. 2137 or the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act of 2018, during yesterday’s public hearing.
LTO also supported the passage by Congress of the Gatchalian bill. The office said that the measure has noble intentions through the promotion of environment-friendly vehicles.
Galvante, who is also the Department of Transportation’s assistant secretary, said the LTO is mandated by law to collect Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) upon registration of vehicles to be used for maintenance of roads.
‘’Although electric vehicles do not emit hazardous emissions, they likewise use roads and contribute to the wear and tear. If any incentives shall be extended to electric and hybrid vehicles for the role they play in providing environmentally friendly transportation, it should be tax incentives on importation and for the development of their industry,’’ Galvante said.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP) told Gatchalian to make the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) the lead agency in the EV industry development, including developing fiscal incentives.
The group also recommended the trade and industry department to work hand in hand with the DOE in developing the EV Roadmap.
The eVAP also suggested guidelines on possible financial incentives for electric vehicles and co-location of charging points and fueling stations to ensure public safety.
Gatchalian highlighted in his bill the country’s reliance on foreign energy sources as the country imports 98 percent of its crude needs.
‘’This, in turn, makes the commuting and driving public highly vulnerable to price movements in the global marketplace. In May 2018 alone, the increase in international oil prices contributed to 0.3 percent to the country’s highest inflation rate in five years,’’ Gatchalian was quoted in a Manila Bulletin report.
‘’Similarly, the same amount of imported energy consumed by the local transportation sector results to around 23,5 metric tons of carbon dioxide being released into the country’s atmosphere, affecting the health and well-being of the population. The number is estimated to further increase to 48.8 metric tons by 2030,’’ he added.
Gatchalian also said that electric vehicles would be cheaper for the riding public.
‘’A 2018 study shows that it costs merely P2.75 per kilometer to operate an electric jeepney compared to P4.50 per kilometer using a diesel-powered jeepney. Similarly, a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime that runs on 100 percent electric is estimated to cost P1.40 per kilometer while a similar vehicle running on 100 percent gasoline costs P2.30 per kilometer to operate,’’ he said.
