President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday lauded the partnership of Legado Motors Inc. of former Ilocos Sur governor Luisito “Chavit” Singson and partner Dongfeng Motors of China in bringing electric vehicles to the Philippines.
“We heartily welcome your efforts to help us actualize our goal to increase the use of electric vehicles in our transportation sector,” Marcos Jr. said at the launch of Dongfeng Motors in the Philippines in Pasig City.
“Considering our continued dependence on imported fuels and the volatility of oil products in the world market, it is only sensible that we encourage the shift to electric vehicles,” he said.
Marcos said electric vehicles in the Philippines confers to their owners a wide range of incentives and advantages.
“Aside from having priority in the registration and renewal of registration at the Land Transportation Office, owners will also get to enjoy exemption from the number coding scheme, amongst others,” he said.
Marcos said the government targets to increase the share of electric vehicles to 10 percent and hopefully 50 percent by 2040. Late in 2020, there were only 8,800 electric vehicles in the country.
“So, to boost this number, we are working on the gradual shift to electric vehicles for public transportation. Currently, we are implementing the PUV modernization program. This entitles beneficiaries to special loan facilities and equity subsidies for the acquisition of electric vehicles,” he said.
To date, some 400 electric public utility vehicles ply 29 routes nationwide, bringing safe, modern, comfortable, and green transportation to the masses.
In Davao City, over 300 electric buses have been deployed to pioneer an integrated sustainable urban transport system.
