MANILA, June 30 — The Department of Energy (DOE) fully supports the development of electric vehicles (EV) in the country as they are the future of motoring, an official has said.
“Through a concerted effort, we have to develop a conducive, open-access and non-discriminatory environment for EVs to thrive and settle into the mainstream,” Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said during the ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Friday.
In a department news release, Pulido said the industry must ensure the operation of adequate recharging stations and after-sales support if e-vehicles are to take the place of vehicles running on fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel.
“The industry should be bent on continuing to improve the performance, mileage and durability of EVs, so that these vehicles develop over time both in capacity and reputation that will match and stand toe-to-toe — or wheel-to-wheel — with their petroleum-powered counterparts,” he said.
Pulido detailed the government’s efforts to provide the industry incentives, as well as the programs being implemented by the Bureau of Investments for nascent industries such as EVs.
The DOE, he said, has drawn up an Alternative Fuel Roadmap, which embodies the country’s immediate and long-term strategies concerning the industry.
Last May, the DOE, in partnership with the Japanese government, turned over the “next-generation vehicles” to selected government agencies, especially in the ‘Yolanda’-stricken areas, for practical testing and operation, research and development, and technical familiarization.
It also formulated with the help of various stakeholders the Philippine Energy Standards and Labeling Program, which aims to ensure that all energy-consuming products, including light vehicles, will meet the set energy performance requirements for consumer benefit.
Pulido asked EV stakeholders to raise public awareness of the benefits of using e-vehicles. (DOE-PR) | via PNA
