Charging ahead into the EV shift in the Philippines

BusinessWorld Insights forum tackles accelerating electric mobility

By Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz, Krystal Anjela H. Gamboa
Special Features and Content Writers
Bjorn Biel M. Beltran
Special Features and Content Assistant Editor

Ever since the crisis in West Asia broke out, more Filipinos have come to realize the value that electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy can bring to Filipino households and the broader economy. Aside from the government incentives offered through the Electric Vehicle Industry Development (EVIDA) Law, EV owners and green energy users remained largely unaffected by the war-induced fuel price hike and subsequent power rate spike.

Against the backdrop of heightened interest in energy security and sustainable mobility, BusinessWorld organized its latest Insights forum, themed “Powering the Electric Shift,” on June 30 at the Gallardo Jr. Ballroom of Makati Diamond Residences.

Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and sustainability advocates, the forum explored the accelerating transition to electric mobility in the Philippines. Discussions centered on expanding EV adoption, strengthening charging infrastructure, advancing renewable energy integration, and fostering public-private collaboration to build a cleaner, more resilient, and future-ready transport ecosystem.

BusinessWorld Executive Vice-President Lucien C. Dy Tioco delivered a welcome address during the forum. — Jayson John D. Mariñas

Aligning policies and goals

Kicking off the discussions was the Department of Energy’s Energy Utilization and Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino, CESO III, who emphasized in his keynote address that as the energy transition is already underway, the challenge now is ensuring that the Philippines moves swiftly enough to seize its economic opportunities by aligning energy and mobility policies.

“The question is no longer whether the transition will happen. The question is whether the Philippines will move fast enough to capture its economic opportunities. The Department of Energy believes the answer is yes, but only if energy policy and mobility policy move together,” Mr. Aquino said.

Acknowledging the recent spike in global oil prices, which immediately affected Filipino families through higher transport costs, higher food prices, and higher inflation, he asserted that reducing the country’s dependence on imported fuels is an environmental objective as well as an economic necessity.

“Every electric vehicle powered by locally generated electricity reduces exposure to volatile global oil markets. Every additional charging station expands consumer confidence. Every megawatt of renewable energy strengthens our national energy security,” Mr. Aquino said.

Additionally, he revealed data points regarding the current state of green mobility in the country as well as the Philippines’ energy mix.

Mr. Aquino noted the “meaningful progress in electric mobility” experienced over the past year, evident in the more than 60,000 registered EVs and nearly 1,700 charging stations nationwide. Similarly, he disclosed that roughly 25% of the country’s actual power generation is generated by green energy, inching closer to the 35% target under the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050.

Energy Utilization and Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino, CESO III — The Philippine STAR | Walter Bollozos

Despite these gains, Mr. Aquino recognized that significant challenges remain, particularly in streamlining the permitting process for EV charging infrastructure. To address this, he said the Department of Energy is finalizing two landmark policies: a Joint Memorandum Circular on the streamlined permitting process for EV charging stations and a Department Circular mandating the installation of charging facilities in identified establishments.

“These reforms will reduce regulatory bottlenecks, improve investment certainty, and accelerate nationwide charging infrastructure deployment,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr. Aquino stressed that the success of the country’s clean energy transition hinges on the alignment of energy and mobility policies. He warned that failing to coordinate the two could slow EV adoption, weaken infrastructure utilization, and prolong the country’s reliance on imported fuels

At the same time, he assured investors that the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment through renewable energy expansion, grid modernization, battery energy storage, EV charging infrastructure, and business-friendly reforms.

“Our message to investors is clear,” he said. “The Philippines is fully committed to a coordinated, market-driven, and investment-friendly energy transition. We are accelerating renewable energy deployment, modernizing the grid, expanding battery energy storage, strengthening EV charging infrastructure, and implementing reforms that improve the ease of doing business.”

Mr. Aquino encouraged policymakers, investors, utilities, developers, manufacturers, financiers, technology providers, and consumers to aid in the already underway energy transition, in any way they can.

“Together, we can build an energy future that is cleaner, more secure, more competitive, and more resilient. Together, we can position the Philippines as one of Southeast Asia’s leading destinations for clean energy and electric mobility investment,” he ended.

Meaningful value from EVs

The panel discussions brought together key public and private sector leaders to unpack the future of sustainable mobility, beginning with understanding how EVs can serve as an invaluable resource to the nation’s energy grid.

Panel Discussion 1 (L-R): Sharon O. Montañer of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Atty. Joseph Omar Alday Castillo of National Transmission Corp., Atty. Rhys Alexei Murillo of Nissan Philippines Inc., and Ralph Menchavez of Meralco and Movem — The Philippine STAR | Walter Bollozos

The first panel discussion opened with a fundamental shift regarding how the country views transport and energy storage, moving past the traditional notion that vehicles are merely consumers of fuel.

“It (EV) is a resource, that is why the government is promoting it. It comes with challenges, [so] we must [make] sure that the grid is reliable,” Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Director Sharon O. Montañer stated, underscoring a state-level commitment into integrating green mobility into the national energy strategy, provided that power networks are adequately reinforced

National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Joseph Omar Alday Castillo framed this monumental shift through the lens of macroeconomic necessity and geopolitical security. He noted that the country’s traditional transport model leaves it highly vulnerable to external economic shocks due to heavy reliance on foreign petroleum products.

As Atty. Castillo pointed out, “We import a lot of diesel used for transportation. Instead of importing, we’ll just be using electricity to power our vehicles.”

By localizing the energy source used for daily transportation, the Philippines stands to retain massive amounts of capital within its domestic economy while insulating itself from the volatile swings of global oil markets.

Nissan Philippines, Inc. General Manager Atty. Rhys Alexei Murillo reinforced this perspective by declaring that the era of EVs being treated as mere concept cars has officially passed, stating that “EVs have become beyond just being a vision of the future.”

“Perhaps, the important question is ‘How do we ensure that electric mobility creates meaningful value?’” Atty. Murillo added.

“EV is more than just another way for us to get from one point to another. It can also become an energy resource,” he also stressed, adding that through technologies like vehicle-to-grid integration, parked cars can eventually feed electricity back into the network during peak hours.

BusinessWorld Reporter Sheldeen Talavera moderated the first panel discussion. — The Philippine STAR | Walter Bollozos

The infrastructure hurdle

Despite the optimism shared by both regulators and private automotive executives, the realities of the Philippines’ power architecture pose significant geographic and technical constraints.

Ms. Montañer addressed this discrepancy by acknowledging the limitations that current provincial networks face.

“I have to be honest — the grids are not ready in rural areas; but in the main urban center, I’m pretty confident we can sustain the requirements,” she said.

To bridge this infrastructural divide and ensure equitable access to electric mobility, systemic engineering solutions are actively sought.

Atty. Castillo explained that TransCo is tasked with designing infrastructure to link isolated segments of the country to more cost-effective energy centers.

“We are tasked to find out how we can connect the islands to the main grids where cheaper power plants will be,” he said.

“Most of our small islands run on diesel. So, if we can connect these islands faster, then even the provinces will be ready for a shift to EV,” Atty. Castillo added.

Ralph Menchavez, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of MOVEM Electric, Inc. and vice-president for the Electric Vehicle Adoption Program at Meralco, also identified another hurdle in the infrastructure. 

“The main challenge is that we have to identify where the concentration or clusters of EV will be,” Mr. Menchavez pointed out.

Without precise spatial data, utilities risk over-allocating resources to quiet zones while leaving high-demand areas vulnerable to localized grid strain.

Mr. Menchavez added that MOVEM and Meralco are trying to work with different stakeholders, primarily dealerships and charging stations, to foster an interconnected ecosystem that prevents EV motorists from getting stranded without access to a charging point.

“Finding locations is also a challenge,” Mr. Menchavez noted. “What we want to do is to ensure that when customers drive, they will have the confidence that they will know there’s a charging station.”

Clean energy supply crucial

The panelists collectively recognized that a true electric shift requires an aggressive, concurrent transition toward renewable energy sources

Ms. Montañer pointed out the strategic vulnerability of scaling an EV network that remains tied to a fossil-fuel-dependent grid.

“If the source of electricity will be from fossil, we will become dependent again from other countries,” she warned.

“While pushing for EV, we have to ensure that the supply is not only sufficient but also coming from clean energy,” she added.

Atty. Murillo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the environmental integrity of the automotive industry’s evolution rests entirely on the greening of the power grid.

“It’s not enough that we promote EV adoption, but if we are not able to progress renewable energy, then we’ll just create a situation where our reliance to fossil fuels will not be as green,” he said.

Atty. Castillo then highlighted that grid modernization assets are already being aligned with future renewable capacity.

“We made sure that the assets will be there for the committed plans for the Green Energy Auction,” he added.

Urban energy in motion

The Philippines is navigating a critical pivot into the active market integration of EVs, anchored by ambitious national mandates that aim to put more at least 2.45 million EVs and 20,400 charging stations nationwide. This aggressive macroeconomic trajectory includes targets to electrify 50% of the national fleet and achieve a 50% renewable energy share in the country’s power mix by 2040 under the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI).

Panel Discussion 2 (L-R): Joel Bolano of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Bob Palanca of BYD Cars Philippines, Miguelito Jose of Jetour Auto Philippines, and Nico Policarpio of Voltai — Jayson John D. Mariñas

Meeting those targets was assessed and further explored in the second panel discussion, as the conversation moved further to EV’s implementation in public transport.

Joel Bolano, technical division chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said that the enactment of the EVIDA has established a definitive policy framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency.

“The transition to electric mobility marks a significant milestone in the Philippines pursuit for the modern, sustainable, and environmentally responsible public transportation system,” he said. “With the enactment of EVIDA, the government has established a clear policy direction towards reducing greenhouse gas emission, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. across the country.”

To accelerate adoption, the government is focusing heavily on taxi mobility by granting EV operators specialized fiscal incentives and expedited franchise processing.

He further noted that the LTFRB is actively modernizing its regulations by shifting toward online applications and comprehensive digitalization, an administrative overhaul designed to significantly improve the ease of doing business. 

These measures come as more and more transport groups on the ground struggle with making the transition.

Bob Palanca, managing director of BYD Cars Philippines, pointed out that commercial operators cannot afford to talk about the promise of electrification without addressing the heavy financial realities and intense economic strain caused by ongoing oil price hikes.

“Local operators are dealing with intense economic strain driven by oil price hikes, and it seems like there’s no end to it. They want a solution immediately, and rebuilding and refitting their operation brings up a valid and deep-seated anxiety,” he said.

Despite this, he reasserted that many operators are willing to commit to electrification should the opportunity arise.

“We’re seeing the shift from the traditional taxi operators into battery EVs. There is this thinking that battery EVs are expensive when, in fact, they’re affordable and competitively priced compared to existing ICE models today,” he added.

The key is infrastructure. Just like a century ago, when the first automobiles struggled to drive through dirt footpaths and bumpy cobblestone, the EVs of today cannot function without adequate charging stations and battery storage.

The friction is felt most acutely within the country’s high-velocity gig economy and last-mile logistics sectors, which represent a crucial yet widely neglected component of the transport ecosystem.

“For the longest time that we’ve been studying this, we’ve found that fleets actually do want electric vehicles. The economics make sense, the technology exists, but the system is unable to give them that ease of transition,” Nico Policarpio, co-founder and chief product officer of Voltai, said.

He further pointed out the chicken-and-egg problem that exists within the ecosystem; riders are deeply hesitant to switch to electric models because there is no charging infrastructure to support them, while operators resist making investments because an active rider base is not yet there.

TV and events host Jester delos Santos hosted the forum and moderated the second panel discussion.

Speaking as a member of the United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), Miguelito Jose, managing director of Jetour Auto Philippines, said that meeting the country’s benchmarks requires a synchronized execution chain where policy, charging infrastructure, vehicular supply, and service support are fully ready.

“Let’s explore how we make smart, accessible hybrid and electric mobility a reality for the Philippine market. The future of transport isn’t just coming; it is already in motion,” he said.

“We also need to modernize in terms of regulation,” Mr. Bolano acknowledged. “Right now, we are doing some changes to the regulation in terms of ease of doing business. We’re starting to digitalize the government applications.”

As the panel agreed, the Philippines’ current national target of deploying millions of EVs will remain bottlenecked if commercial transport groups and last-mile logistics fleets are left to navigate the transition alone.

“Standardization of batteries and the infrastructure would be key [in EV adoption]. Technology isn’t what is missing right now; it is how we use technology at scale,” Mr. Policarpio added.

This BusinessWorld Insights forum was presented by BusinessWorld Publishing Corp., with the support of gold sponsor Aboitiz Power Corp.; silver sponsor Toyota Motor Philippines; bronze sponsors Meralco and Nissan Philippines, Inc.; partners Asian Consulting Group, Asia Society of the Philippines, British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Franchise Association, and Philippine Retailers Association; and official media partner The Philippine STAR.