Published June 8, 2019, 10:00 PM By Bernie
Cahiles-Magkilat
At least 15 e-vehicles are expected
to be showcased by various assemblers at the upcoming Philippine Electric
Vehicle Summit, which aims to draw more interest from private operators and
local government units.
Edmund Araga, president of the
E-Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), observed that the electric vehicle
industry scene in the Philippines has never been more exciting as EVs are now
becoming mainstream.
“Infrastructure and government
support to sustain the growth of the EV industry are now being set up. The
3,000 Bemac eTrikes of the Department of Energy (DOE) now being deployed
nationwide are becoming more visible in various LGUs,” he said.
According to Araga, the summit
expects about 15 vehicles to be exhibited and over a thousand visitors to visit
the EV Summit daily. The summit is slated on July 17-18, 2019 at the SMX
Convention Center at SM MOA, Pasay City.
“We will have on display the latest
electric tricycles, cars, SUVs and jeepneys participating in the PUVMP,” he
said.
Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai will
exhibit their exciting electric vehicles at the upcoming summit. A few electric
cars converted from their regular conventional engine configuration will also
be on display. Even battery maker Motolite will unveil a new EV that it has
been keeping under wraps for so long.
Araga also revealed that more
e-Jepney deployments are being done in Metro Manila as well as in Visayas and
Mindanao as part of the government’s PUV Modernization Program. This PUVMP aims
to upgrade some 200,000 public utility jeepneys over the next six years with
Modern PUV powered by either a Euro 4 diesel engine or an electric motor.
The PUVMP has made retail financing
now available through Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
EVAP has also partnered with the
Philippine Nickel Industries Association to explore the possibility of locally
manufacturing nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries for automotive
application. The Bureau of Philippine Standards is now busy crafting a complete
set of standards for EVs that will cover parts, components, testing parameters
and procedures and safety features.
Araga explained that with all these
positive EV developments unfolding this year, the Philippine Electric Vehicle
Summit 2019 with its theme Modernizing the Transport Landscape: Driving Sustainable
Growth is no longer focused on just introducing EVs to the Philippines and the
Filipinos, but towards actual end-user adoption already and how they can be
fully utilized for a truly sustainable and electrified Philippine transport.
In scheduled technical sessions,
public transport officials, local government representatives, members of the
academe and EV and automotive industry players are expected to discuss the
issues that will help make EVs more mainstream in the Philippine setting.
“You will even have the opportunity
to test drive some of these EVs at the grounds near SMX. The best news is that
if you visit the EV Summit, you might bring home an eTrike that will be the
major prize in a raffle we will be conducting,” he said.
“We invite EV enthusiasts and the
general public to come and see what the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2019
has to offer – the future of automotive technology. We are sure that our EV
displays and talks from various EV experts will be both educational and
enlightening for all involved,” said Araga.
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