Poised to become a major player in the electric vehicle industry in the region in the future, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is launching a program aimed at fostering the development of the local e-vehicle industry.
Dubbed the Electric Vehicle Incentives Scheme (EVIS), DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba announced on Friday, at the 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit in Pasay City, that the program is looking for the creation of at least four million electric vehicles in the next 10 years.
The program is specifically looking for the local production of e-PUVs (public utility vehicles), e-trikes, two-wheelers, and e-bus. With the incentives program, the government is looking to transform the country into a major exporter in Southeast Asia, particularly of two-wheelers and e-PUVs. The DTI said that they are planning to provide discount vouchers of Php20,000/unit for three-wheelers, Php10,000/unit for e-bikes, and Php500,000/unit for e-PUVs.
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Explaining how the government will render its support, Aldaba said that it will come in two forms—namely, support on both the “supply side” and the “demand side.”
Highlighting the demand in the commercial EV market, she stated that e-PUV plays a major component in the EVIS program. She compared EVIS to CARS (Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy), which is aimed at the manufacturing of commercial vehicles, and said that it will complement the said program.
In addition to establishing the country’s capacity to manufacture flagship commercial e-PUVs, it also seeks to develop the local capabilities of the country to produce light truck platforms and vehicles designed for social support. In particular, UV Express and other trucks, buses, and PUVs.
Furthermore, the EVIS program is also looking to support local manufacturers through fiscal incentives to kickstart their investments and tax perks for every unit sold.
EVIS e-PUV+ program even specifically renders fiscal incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises law in addition to other perks, such as for passenger cars, charging infrastructure, autoelectronics, and the mining and processing of green metals.