Electric vehicle owners in the Philippines could soon enjoy more benefits if a new bill makes its way into law. The proposed legislation aims to expand the current perks for EV users and encourage more people to switch to electric cars.
The bill, filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, adds several new incentives on top of what is already available under existing laws. Right now, EV owners are exempt from the Metro Manila number coding scheme and get faster processing from the Land Transportation Office. But with this new proposal, it would give Filipinos even more reasons to go electric.
Among the proposed additions are free use of dedicated expressway lanes for EVs and discounts on parking fees. The bill also introduces a “buy now, register later” system, which would let buyers drive their new vehicles right away without waiting for paperwork. Another change is the extension of these benefits from 8 years to 12 years.
Gatchalian, who also wrote the original electric vehicle law, said the move is about reducing the country’s reliance on imported oil. He pointed to recent events where fuel prices shot up dramatically. At the height of the oil crisis earlier this year, gasoline and diesel costs more than doubled. The conflict in the Middle East also disrupted supply lines when Iran closed a key shipping route, forcing the country to look for other suppliers.
According to Gatchalian, the proposed incentives could help protect the Philippines from future fuel shortages and price spikes. He believes that shifting more vehicles to electricity is a practical step toward energy security.
The bill also requires public establishments to set aside more parking spaces exclusively for EVs. In addition, it keeps the current zero percent import tax on electric vehicles and related equipment.