THE 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) called “Plug-In and Accelerate,” is the biggest annual conference focused on promoting electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines and is set to take place from October 19-21, 2023 at three halls of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
The size and scope of the 11th PEVS allows for increased participation from exhibitors thus providing more opportunities for enriching industry discussions and networking.
The EVAP collaborated with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), the Department of Energy (DOE) and Nissan Philippines Inc. to run the summit that will bring together government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the latest EV technologies and trends, government policies and initiatives to promote electrification of vehicles, the development of charging infrastructure, the business studies and cases, and the role of sustainable transportation in achieving Philippine decarbonization goals.
The exhibitions throughout the conference will feature industry players showcasing the latest EV models, cutting-edge battery and charging technologies, and other innovative products and solutions.
BYD and Kia are to be represented at the AC Motors booth while Chery, Foton and Jetour are back-to-back in one area. Hyundai is positioned beside Jaguar and the Japanese mainstays Mitsubishi and Nissan are flanked by the SAIC MG booth, Diamond Motors, Honqui, and the Luxuriant Motors’s Great Wall Motors (GWM) and Lotus.
The summit will kick off with a press conference on October 19 and will be capped off by the EVAP’s Mobility Awards in the evening. The awards are given to individuals and organizations who support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles through awareness, policy dialogues and the exchange of valuable knowledge, experiences, and other best practices.
Notably, the 11th PEVS follows the enactment of Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), and the subsequent approval of Executive Order No. 12 that temporarily waives import duties on completely built-up EV units for five years.
“Following its enactment, the national government also approved an Executive Order temporarily removing import duties on completely built-up units of EVs for five years,” EVAP President Edmund Araga said.
In tandem with these developments, the Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), envisioning a thriving domestic EV industry with substantial export potential and a more significant push for EV adoption nationwide. Several other government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), are actively supporting this transformative journey.
“Another development that we are excited about is the establishment of the Philippine Battery Consortium in addressing concerns on battery supplies and costs. That will be launched during the 11th PEVS,” In a groundbreaking announcement, Araga revealed.
The 11th EVS will also feature informative sessions on how other countries have successfully developed EV supply chains, electrified ride-hailing, green logistics, e-bus services, e-taxi fleets, and ensuring safety in EV operations and battery manufacturing and servicing. Below is the preliminary lineup of topics slated for discussion in the plenary and moderated sessions.
The EV industry in Asia is closely watching and supporting developments in the Philippines to assist the the adoption of EVs in the country. While the EVAP and local EV players are looking at developments in countries like Indonesia for its battery industry and tie-ups with Tesla and Vietnam with its Vinfast EV industry.
“We are engaging in collaboration activities with industry players with assistance from our ASEAN neighbors in coming up with an alternative battery component production utilizing indigenous minerals, considering the significant cost contribution of batteries in the overall acquisition cost of EVs,” Araga said.
