As it unveils its electrification campaign in the Philippines, Japanese automaker Honda urged government to continue giving support to the electric vehicle (EV) industry such as extending the tariff and tax concessions beyond 2028.

Toshio Kuwahara, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. vice president and head of operations for Asia and Oceania, said  availability of charging stations and high cost of power remain the top challenges that hinder the acceleration of EV adoption in the country.

Speaking at the launch of  Honda’s electrification campaign in Taguig City on Wednesday, Kuwahara said compared to Thailand and Indonesia, EV adoption in the Philippines is slow. In Thailand for example, 23 percent of passenger cars are battery EVs.

Executive Order 62 until 2028 grants zero duty and excise tax on pure EVs. Hybrids enjoy zero duty but pay 50 percent of the excise tax valuation of the vehicle.

“If Ph government could kindly consider this deadline by of EO 62 as this will increase sales (of EVs),” said Kuwahara, also president and chief executive officer of Asian Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

He urged government, industry associations and private companies to work together in addressing the infrastructure issue and make available more charging stations available especially in Metro Manila not only for Honda but also for the entire automotive industry.

At the launch, Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) also unveiled its first two-wheeled battery EV (BEV), The All New EM1 e while Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) introduced its second  hybrid electric vehicle, the New Honda Civic RS e:HEV. 

This comes a year after the launch of the CR-V e:HEV.

Honda also presented its new range of direct-current handheld battery-powered products; the leaf blower, hedge trimmer, lawn trimmer and chainsaw.

The campaign aligns Honda’s operations in the Philippines to the global vision of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

The Honda 0 Series will spearhead the automotive division’s efforts with a target launch year of 2026 worldwide. The Honda 0 Series will eventually grow into a wide and diversified range of vehicles that will suit various needs.