THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST electric mobility event is charging up once more as Manila gets to host the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) from October 23 to 25, at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.
Hosted by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), the three-day summit with a theme “Charge Ahead, Ignite the EVolution” summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders, consumers, and advocates to spotlight the next wave of electric mobility in the country.
Among the featured exhibitors leading the charge are major EV brands including BYD, GAC, Omoda & Jaecoo, and United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI). Power Equipment and Supplies, Inc. (PESIN), Presidium, Developer of Electric Conveyances Corporation (DECC), KIA Philippines, AC Mobility, and Honda also have booths at the summit.
DISCUSSING EV’S FUTURE
According to EVAP, the local EV market has grown faster than ever before. Citing its own data and that of the Department of Energy, four-wheeled EV sales nearly tripled in 2024, while sales of two and three-wheeled EVs surged from just 172 units in 2023 to over 43,000 units in 2024.
Analysts call it the start of a genuine “EVolution” in Philippine transport.
This year’s event also focuses on implementing the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) and addressing the critical need for a robust charging infrastructure to support the expanding electric fleet.
Government agencies, led by the Department of Energy (DOE), are targeting 7,300 public charging stations by 2028 and over 20,000 by 2040, under the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI).
The Board of Investments (BOI) earlier announced ongoing discussions with a Chinese delegation on the possibility of establishing new local facilities for EV and renewable energy equipment manufacturing.
So far, the BOI has not released further details about the talks, though it hinted that the project is likely to move forward.
The DOE has also confirmed growing interest from private investors to build around 4,000 EV charging stations nationwide within the next two to three years.
MAJOR INVESTMENTS
The Philippines’ electric vehicle industry is also seeing a surge in major investments.
In June, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines pledged an additional ₱7 billion over the next five years to support the government’s EV and renewable energy initiatives. During the same month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) lobbied for the proposed Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS)—a program projected to generate up to ₱11.4 trillion in economic output and nearly 700,000 jobs in EV assembly, battery production, and maintenance services.
Complementing these efforts, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Ayala Corporation committed $100 million (₱5.84 billion) for EV charging infrastructure and commercial fleet distribution through AC Mobility.
In September 2024, Australia’s StB GIGA Factory launched the country’s first EV battery manufacturing plant in New Clark City, designed to produce 2 GWh of batteries annually by 2030—enough to power about 18,000 EVs each year, with a portion intended for export.
Alongside the conference is a major exhibit showcasing a wide array of EV models, charging technologies, and related products and services—offering attendees a comprehensive look at the country’s fast-growing EV ecosystem.
The summit is open from 9 am to 7 pm.
For more information or free registration, visit the official website at pevsummit.com. (With reports and photos from ITOH SON)