Accidents on the road involving electric vehicles (EVs) have been on the rise in the National Capital Region (NCR) since 2019, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The MMDA Road Safety Unit identified some 907 EVs, consisting of e-trikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters, which have caused road crashes—triple that of the 2019 record of 309 accidents.
Taking a proactive approach in mitigating the situation, MMDA acting chairman Don Artes said that they will “not wait for the figures to go higher and the situation worsens”.
Citing the open nature of riding an EV, including the non-requirement of helmets, Artes claimed that fatality is likely among EV users who are driving at the speed of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour.
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In response, the local government has imposed the banning of electric vehicles in addition to non-electric vehicles, like scooters, tricycles, pedicabs, and “kuligligs” from traveling over national roads, radial roads, and circumferential roads in Metro Manila starting April 15, 2024.
In light of the new policy, Artes and officials from other agencies, on Monday, March 11, conducted a stakeholder consultation meeting concerning the formulation of implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
Drawing from relevant laws and regulations issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the MMDA incorporated memorandum circulars from 2020 and 2023, which forbids the previously stated vehicle models, into its regulations.
Likewise, the MMDA also borrows the Land Transportation Office (LTO)’s 2021 administrative order, which asks for Consolidated Guidelines in the Classification, Registration, and Operation of All Types of Electric Vehicles.